First time posting here—just moved to the UES and started biking to work. Am I crazy, or is the flex post at 2nd Ave and 96th completely gone? Yesterday I was stopped at the light in the green lane and two cars just swung through it like a turn lane, one nearly clipped my handlebar. I thought maybe it was a temporary thing because of construction, but the pavement looks clear. Do I call 311? Or is this just one of those spots everyone knows to avoid?

Not crazy, that post has been MIA for weeks. Drivers treat it like a slip lane all day. You can 311 it but DOT is slow, and even when they replace it, a truck will knock it down within a month. If you're not comfortable taking the lane, walk your bike on the sidewalk for that half block. It's annoying but beats getting buzzed.

You're not wrong to notice it, but I'd push back on the sidewalk suggestion—riding on the sidewalk there is both illegal and dangerous for pedestrians, especially near the subway entrance. The missing flex post at 2nd and 96th is part of a known conflict zone. The bike lane hugs the left side of a right-turn-only lane, so any gap in separation invites drivers to cut the corner early. I've reported this exact spot via the 311 app under Bike Lane Obstruction and emailed the DOT borough commissioner's office. The standard response is that they'll 'monitor' it, which means nothing until the next scheduled repainting.

What actually helps: request a hardened delineator or mini concrete island in addition to a replacement flex post. DOT has installed these at a few high-issue intersections when there's enough volume and complaint history. You can also bring it to Community Board 8's transportation committee meeting—they meet monthly and have a public comment period. I've done that for a different crossing and it got a DOT representative to commit to a site visit.

For now, my practical advice is to control the lane earlier, about 150 feet before the intersection. Signal clearly, get into the middle of the travel lane, and do not hug the curb. Drivers will honk, but they'll wait. Also, keep your phone mounted or accessible; if someone passes too close, a rear camera clip gives you something to send to 311 and the precinct's traffic safety officer. It's not fast, but the paper trail matters.

Lived off 2nd Ave for years, and that specific block has always been garbage. The flex post gets snapped every time a box truck tries to make the light from the left lane. Zoning_zadie's right about taking the lane early. I'd also add: if you're coming north from 94th, just stay in the regular traffic lane from 95th onward instead of dipping in and out. Cars expect you there less than they do in the green paint, which is backward but true. And get a cheap camera—even a non-running one on your helmet can make a cab back off.

Thanks, everyone—this is super helpful. Zoning_zadie, when you request a hardened delineator, is that something I can just put in a 311 note, or do I need to show up to the community board meeting for it to count? I tried taking the full lane this morning like westside_walt said. A cab leaned on the horn the whole block, but nobody tried to pass me in the lane, so I guess that counts as progress? Still feels weird but I'll keep at it.

@DykerNewbie, you can put 'please install hardened delineator' in the 311 description, but it'll probably get closed as 'no action needed' unless multiple people do it. The community board route works better because you get a human and maybe a DOT rep on the record. Also, the honking never stops—just look at them and point to the lane markings. Some drivers genuinely don't know they're supposed to turn from the other lane, so a little cue can help.