" I have never worried about being attacked,"
There were a few reports of muggings last year, as well as the "tack attacks". The section that runs next to the Sewage treatment plant is like a cattle chute -- no way out once you're in. After dark, no thanks.

" but I agree 100% that the Cherry Walk"
At Cherry walk, I don't think lighting would even help. The path is just too close to the oncoming traffic, and there are too many places where you're just staring directly into headlight glare.

"and the 162nd-165th stretch present numerous safety hazards due to inadequate/non-existent lighting."
That section actually doesn't bother me that much. I know where all the holes are.

As for access to 158th--just go through the gate near 158th, turn left up the ramp. Not a big deal. Same for coming down. Just go down the hill on 158th to the end, turn left, go down the ramp. The ramp has two-way traffic, and not that much of it.

Probably the biggest drawback is that it looks more like an invitation to a mugging than a waterfront access point. The first time I used it I just followed some joggers who said they were going down to the river. Marking the trail with Greenway signs would make a big difference.

True, you want people going through there on a regular basis to get those "eyes on the street." But if any brave individuals would measure the amount of time it takes to detour that way vs. the Port Authority's planned detour, that could bolster the case for restoring it. Thanks again for the info.

From what I remember there's a bit of gravel/small stones in the path that could be swept aside but most of the path is rideable with 700x25 tires.

The stairs around the bridge are no worse than other steps on the Greenway but it would be safer to have some signage there warning cyclists that they need to dismount. I think there's also a short tunnel before the bridge. Maybe wooden ramps, like those used around the 79th Street Rotunda, would be a quick fix but the last time I was there I happened across a guy with a moped who had no problem getting it down the steps. Pushing it up might be a bit more challenging.

Probably the biggest drawback is that it looks more like an invitation to a mugging than a waterfront access point. The first time I used it I just followed some joggers who said they were going down to the river. Marking the trail with Greenway signs would make a big difference.

It could probably be restored for less money than DOT and the Parks Dept spends when they want to temporarily reroute the bike path through Riverside South, or between Chelsea Piers and the Gansvoort Street Sanitation facility.

in the meantime, here, http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=west+158th+street+new+york+city&sll=40.852189,-73.937559&sspn=0.031487,0.077248&ie=UTF8&ll=40.83579,-73.948127&spn=0.001968,0.004828&t=h&z=18 w158th is a piece of cake.

(hope the url works)

What if the Port Authority were interested in actually accommodating greenway users, rather than just keeping them away from the staging area? How much do you think it would cost to rebuild the greenway access? It would not only cut the detour down from thirty blocks to eleven, but it would also improve access to the waterfront for the lower-income people living in southern Washington Heights.

If DOT expects commuters to use this alternate route they probably should plan a specific detour and improve traffic signals. I think there may have been a flashing yellow light but if cars don't expect to see pedestrians they're not going to slow down.

You can either go up/down the zig zag ramp, contesting with everyone else on that ramp or just take the on/off ramp to the Henry Hudson up to 158th and go onto the greenway at 157. Then you have a recently paved but very steep hill to go up to/down from Broadway, passing through a confusing 6 way intersection.

Then you can either cross broadway at 158th to the uptown side and then cross again one block north as the signs will tell you OR just ride one block north on the west sidewalk to Fort Washington. Everyone rides the sidewalk now.

There are no bike lanes until you get to fort washington.

i think the stair access you are considering is at 156th st.