LW's First-Ever Bicycling Tour!

Guest post by LW! Intern Ali K.

LW's Sarah S. and Guide Josef Szende
at Columbus Circle

What better way to celebrate Bike Month and welcome the summer weather than with a bike tour? This past Saturday, LANDMARK WEST! cruised the Upper West Side with bicycle enthusiast Josef Szende, exploring historic railway, subway and greenway sites and structures.

Beginning at the McKim, Mead and White IRT Powerhouse, we rolled through Riverside Park and along the Hudson River Railroad to 96th Street IRT Substation. From here, we enjoyed Central Park, the currently car-free haven for cyclists, jogger and leisurely wanderers. Along the way, Szende shared his knowledge of the recent updates to cycling infrastructure in the Upper West Side, making it easier and safer for everyone to enjoy our beautiful parks, streetscapes and historic architecture!

Szende discussing the development of the Route 9A Reconstruction Project,
making Manhattan's west side accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. 

Josef Szende earned his master's degree in urban planning (with a focus on transportation) at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and his B.A. in geography from the University of Toronto. He is currently the Executive Director of the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District, and is also an avid Transportation Alternatives volunteer. 

Learning about the Hudson River Railroad, hidden behind the background's stone structure

Stay tuned for upcoming events and tours with LANDMARK WEST! over the summer on our blog, website and Twitter.