New bike commuter here. I've been riding from Stuy Town down to the LES for work, and below 14th on 1st Ave the protected lane gets squeezed by that construction near the old gas station? I tried staying in the lane but it just dumps you between a jersey barrier and a backhoe at the light. Do people just take the left side of traffic or hop over to Ave A? I'm on a regular bike, not an e-bike, so the acceleration game isn't great. Also is it better before 8:30 than at 9? I felt like a jerk blocking the box truck.

Been doing that stretch for years. The lane under the scaffolding is worthless now, especially southbound after 14th. If you're slow, don't hug the barrier because cars coming off 14th can't see you until they're already turning. I usually bail at 13th, ride two blocks on Ave A, then cut back on Houston? But only if I'm not in a hurry. If I stay on 1st, I take the full general lane before the pinch, not the bike lane, and hold it through the intersection. You'll get a horn now and then but it's safer than getting squeezed. Don't be polite, be predictable.

Sam, I'm basically new too and tried that exact block yesterday. I did the Ave A detour but then got stuck behind a double-parked FreshDirect truck on 10th or 9th? I never know when to ring my bell or just wait. EastHarlem_E, when you take the full lane on 1st, do you mean actually merge into where the cars are, or just ride the left edge of the green paint? I worry about being too far from the curb.

Thanks both. Big_city_beth, I had the same FreshDirect issue this morning lol. I tried EastHarlem_E's full-lane move through the light and it did feel way less scary than staying in the chute. The box truck honked once but then just went around. Beth, I think they mean actually get in the center of the car lane before the pinch, not the paint edge. At least that's what I did. Now I need the reverse route: northbound on 2nd Ave in the afternoon — does it get just as weird around 23rd?