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New York City Parks Department has announced the closure of the busiest bike path in the country from Monday September 28 for repair work. The greenway closure, between W100th and W125th streets is likely to be closed for three weeks, and was first reported by Streetsblog.

The stretch of bike (and pedestrian) path in Riverside Park known as The Cherry Walk has been waiting for repairs since it was damaged during Superstorm Sandy nearly 8 years ago. This repair is part of a $1.5 million FEMA-funded reconstruction in Riverside and Fort Washington parks. According to the Parks Department, repaving should provide”a safer and smoother biking experience”.

While the upgrade of the shoreline bike path has been welcomed by all who have suffered the bumps (and sometimes bruises) caused by the uneven surface, the detour plans have come under fire from cyclists.

“The severing of one of the most important roadways for cyclists would not happen so ham-handedly if car drivers were being similarly inconvenienced”

The Parks Department will post detour signs. Cyclists will need to to leave the greenway at W100th Street to find alternative paths and travel on local streets before getting back on the path at W153rd Street and Riverside Drive.

“This upgrade has been a long time coming. I’ve taken a tumble off my bike on those shoreline bumps,” said Hell’s Kitchen resident, and keen cyclist, Paul David. “However, this detour seems excessive and confusing. It will be chaos.”

The Parks Department say the closure is out of “an abundance of caution”.

“The severing of one of the most important roadways for cyclists would not happen so ham-handedly if car drivers were being similarly inconvenienced” said Streetsblog on Twitter.

The route is used by thousands of people to travel to and from work daily, along with lycra-clad weekend enthusiasts heading over the George Washington Bridge to the Palisades and Nyack.

How’s this going to affect your fall cycling plans? Let us know by either commenting below or emailing phil@w42st.com.