Northeast - midtown crosstown route

Just moved to queens and started commuting to work going over the 59th st bridge. Anyone know of any good streets to go crosstown (west) on that aren't total deathtraps around 9am. Went across 55th today for the first time and it was hell. Tight stop and go car traffic, tiny gaps i could barely make, oblivious pedestrians. Is midtown always this crazy at that hour and I just have to learn how to deal with it?

My commute used to be a mellow 15 min ride across 9th st from 1st ave to varick. Now midtown is making me want to take public transportation.

Bad time all around. Where do you have to get to? I actually like the large streets (42nd, 34th) but you do have to do some...finagling ;)

I have to get to houston + hudson. I was thinking if i found a quick route to the west side bike path, it would be a quick ride to work. Now i'm thinking of going through queens and brooklyn to take the williamsburg bridge, but i'm not sure if that's going to be any better either. Or going up 1st ave and going crosstown in the 70s through the park.

Is midtown always this crazy at that hour and I just have to learn how to deal with it?
You must get the really bright taillight by Dinotte to keep the killer taxis away from those streets. Keep in mind Air has no fear...the only thing he's afraid of is a flat :D

Here's the lights you need to survive:
http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=dinotte&RowID=18&All=

And here are the Arby's Dancing Monkeys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg05vToa7Zk

Bad time all around. Where do you have to get to? I actually like the large streets (42nd, 34th) but you do have to do some...finagling ;)

Bad time all around is right... The PlaNYC folk, if they're serious about expanding cycling, should get out on some bikes and try and commute to midtown or downtown. Sure, it's possible, I commute into midtown several days a week, but it's not something I'd recommend to the uninitiated...

Though sometimes I get this sinful pleasure taking the whole lane up 1st between the 50s and 70s and going at a beach cruiser pace...

You must get the really bright taillight by Dinotte to keep the killer taxis away from those streets. Keep in mind Air has no fear...the only thing he's afraid of is a flat :D

Here's the lights you need to survive:
http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=dinotte&RowID=18&All=

And here are the Arby's Dancing Monkeys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg05vToa7Zk

Damn, haven't had Arby's in a long, long time!

Anywoot -I'd say 42nd is your best bet; I find it's the fastest way across even if there is bumper to bumper cars. But yeah...being a little fearless will help :D

I usually take 60th or 61st (since they changed the bridge path) over to the park, and then take 59th Street to Columbus Circle, and then whatever street goes down to the West Side Bike Path. Going though Midtown is an absolute nightmare any hour of the day.

Where in Queens? I'm in Astoria and I typically take the Triboro bridge over to Randalls island, then cross the pedestrian bridge to Manhattan (104st) and cross a couple of avenues to Central Park. You can then cross the park and a couple of avenues over to get on the WestSide bike path.

I'm in Astoria also, close to Queens Plaza. I'm not too sure about taking the triboro bridge, seems like i'd be taking the extra long way to work. Anyone go across the park around 65th st? Thinking of trying that route next.

The PlaNYC folk, if they're serious about expanding cycling, should get out on some bikes and try and commute to midtown or downtown.

I know for a fact that they have done just that. But you're right, midtown is much worse than downtown.

/cp

I ride 44th & 45th if I have to get across arcross midtown. 42nd is insane, all the time. 9am is a tough time. Alot of people on the street at that time are late for work & hustling to get where they're going. Without looking, of course. :rolleyes:

I've asked this question before. It sucks no matter which way you go. I used to go through CPS or 57th St to reach the West side greenway.

i live in astoria. i usually take crescent sown to the 59 strert bridge. when i come off of the bridge i go up 1st and then left onto 61st to the park. then i usually do a half loop around the park, but for commuting to the greenway i just take cps. its a bit dicey with all of the tour buses and carriages. then there is columbus circle to deal with. it sucks

I have to get to houston + hudson. I was thinking if i found a quick route to the west side bike path, it would be a quick ride to work. Now i'm thinking of going through queens and brooklyn to take the williamsburg bridge, but i'm not sure if that's going to be any better either. Or going up 1st ave and going crosstown in the 70s through the park.

I think going through the park and down the greenway would be the best way to avoid traffic. You can enter and exit the park at 72nd street and there is an entry to the greenway at the end of W 72nd.

You could try going down 2nd Ave., and crossing lower down, or the upper forties can be manageable (except for Times Square).

Have you thought about going down to the Williamsburg Bridge through Queens/Brooklyn and trying that instead?