Monday Links

I believe that the Borough Park pedestrian islands Hikind is objecting to are those along Fort Hamilton Parkway which is little more than four lanes wide in that area, including the two parking lanes. (not all that much wider anywhere else along Ft Ham. Pkwy either). The islands in question are located VERY close to Maimonides Hospital and, given the congested traffic along that road, make it very difficult for emergency vehicles to get to the emergency room entrance, which opens onto Ft Hamilton Pkwy. Not such a great idea. I’ve heard and seen that fire trucks have trouble negotiating the turn with the traffic islands.

Why such a narrow street needs pedestrian islands is beyond me and beyond lots of BP residents also. In addition, if you bike down this road (which I do regularly), the islands make it quite dangerous. The islands remove the small amount of clearance that existed between parked cars and traffic. Thus, as a cyclist, you are competing with HEAVY trucks for roadway space. Theres’ simply no space for bike lanes left on this relatively narrow “parkway.”