The Department of Transportation has revealed that they recently modified the timing of traffic signals along a stretch of Third Avenue in Manhattan with the goal of making it safer for cyclists.

The new sequencing, which was implemented at the end of January, stretches along 36 blocks of the avenue, from 60th Street to 96th Street. The lights had been timed for vehicles traveling at 25 mph, but have now been adjusted to vehicles traveling 15 mph, according to the DOT.

The DOT refers to this timing as a “green wave,” done so cyclists traveling at typical speeds can pass through successive green lights.

There are 15 other “green wave” locations throughout the city, but the Third Avenue stretch is the longest and only one on a Manhattan avenue, the DOT said. The agency said the change pairs with the addition of a bike and bus lane to that portion of the avenue in 2023.

“Third Avenue is a critical transportation corridor for New Yorkers, but one where we have seen far too many crashes. Our recent transformation of the street has made it safer for all users, but DOT will not rest until we meet our goal of Vision Zero. Combined with our new and innovative double-wide bicycle lanes along the avenue, green wave signal timing will help make sure that cyclists and drivers travel at safe speeds, while keeping pedestrians safe,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement.

The DOT said it began implementing “green waves” “more broadly" since 2019, responding to a then-increase in cycling deaths, claiming cyclists are less likely to run red lights under their timing.

According to data provided by the DOT, pedestrian injuries have decreased 54.3%. The DOT also said its preliminary data shows that the “green wave” has not impacted the flow of vehicle and bus traffic.