Prospect Park Bike Lane Case Heads Back to Court

The bike lane wars are back on. Yesterday, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court ruled that a lower court has to reconsider the Prospect Park West bike lane case on technical grounds. In a nutshell, the lower court had already thrown out the case on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired. But bike-lane critics charge that the bike lane was always meant to be temporary, and therefore the deadline didn’t apply. Opponents of the bike lane have some surprising and powerful backers: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Iris Weinshal, a former DOT commissioner who is married to Senator Chuck Schumer. But the bike lane is overwhelmingly supported by locals in surveys and at community board meetings, the Observer noted. On Prospect Park West, car lanes were cut from three to two to make way for the bike lane. Bike supporters said the lane has reduced speeding and reduced car use. Critics said accidents increased after the lane was added, the New York Post said.
Flat Tire! PPW Bike Lane Suit Returns to Court [NY Observer]
Panel Rules PPW Bike Lane Suit Was Erroneously Tossed [NY Post]
Bike Lane Ruling [NY Supreme Court]
Prospect Park West Bike Lane Foes Appeal [Brownstoner]
Photo by joefenstermaker