The Re-Painted-Over Bedford Bike Lane

A source from within this community rejected the 'absurd comments' that accuses them of being intolerant to outsiders, and what a far stretch this is from the truth. The fact that they have been living in an area that is situated between major thoroughfares such as Bedford, Lee, Wythe, Kent, Flushing, and Park Ave., without major issues, proves that others are being intolerant to their needs. Specifically he pointed out; they have no issue with the Wythe Ave. bike lane and the elaborate Kent Ave bike lane.

However, just as cyclists usually do, they too had major safety issues with the Bedford bike lane. Not with the bikers themselves, but with the restrictions the designated bike lane placed on them. On this 14 block stretch there are 8-9 schools, four of which are located on the left side of the street, which made it difficult to drop off children safely. Moreover, Bedford Ave. was not a straight connecting route to the Williamsburg Bridge, cyclists needed to take a detour by Division Ave. on to Berry St. in order to close in to the bridge. So for safety reasons it made perfectly sense to make the detour 14 blocks earlier, which ensures the safety of the local community on the expense of an inconvenience to the cyclist community.

So if anyone is really concerned about safety, (one Jewish child was struck and killed 7 weeks ago, on a Sabbath morning when the streets are empty from cars, and it could have been a cyclist as well) you should applaud them. At least one community has done something to ensure their safety.

Posted by: abak at December 14, 2009 2:54 PM

bxgrl-you're very right that bike lanes general were poorly planed, the revisions of the Kent bike lane is a classic example of poor planing.

Beyond that, the entire issue was twisted, by the media and bloggers, from a legitimate safety issue to a peculiar dress issue. (Is it because of sensation? anti-semitism?, or ridicule of chasidim?) Neither the DOT nor the local residents indicated anything but safety. There are other bike lanes running through that community, without any objection. This particular bike lane however, which runs through a heavily populated area and near many schools, was a safety threat to the many children. I paddled through Bedford Ave many times on Sunday mornings, when the local schools are open. On this 14 blocks stretch, i could easily pass 15 buses, either dropping off children at school buildings located on that stretch or picking up children, which as a bike rider is pretty annoying to stop behind buses.

Streets are for 'everyone', and that includes the local community too. Why should biker's safety take precedent over the local community safety? Bikers can take a detour, the locals cannot. It flies in the face the open bias against the Jewish people living in that community.

zinka-if you ever cycled through Bedford ave straight to the bridge, without following the bike lane to berry street like other safe cyclists do, than you should have no problem with the bike lane removal at all. Please see Google Street View that proves it.

Posted by: abak at December 17, 2009 7:15 PM