CB6 Votes to OK PPW Bike Lane Tweaks
Transportation Alternatives reports that last night Community Board 6’s full board voted unanimously “to continue the process of improvements that began with the installation of a bike lane on Prospect Park West.” What this means is that CB6 is OK’ing a plan “to build out the pedestrian refuge islands along Prospect Park West,” according to…
Transportation Alternatives reports that last night Community Board 6’s full board voted unanimously “to continue the process of improvements that began with the installation of a bike lane on Prospect Park West.” What this means is that CB6 is OK’ing a plan “to build out the pedestrian refuge islands along Prospect Park West,” according to Transportation Alternatives. Streetsblog has more on the vote, which also involves “adding bike ‘rumble strips’ at crosswalks, and narrowing the buffer between the bike lane and parked cars at the northernmost end of the street. The resolution includes several other requests, asking DOT to search for ways to add on-street parking spots on PPW and side streets, and to monitor safety stats on the redesigned street for the next three years.” Meanwhile, the latest screed from the bike-lane foes was published on Park Slope Patch yesterday, and it included this line: “At some later point, CB6’s actions, and inaction, will be judged against a broader context, including the evident problems with DOT’s data.”
CB6 Drafts Bike Lane PPW Resolution [Brownstoner]
To imply even slightly that pedestrians don’t need ways to cross the lanes because bikers are so damn considerate is just plain dumb. They run red lights all the time with huge cars and trucks entering the intersection, and some of them think they can dart around people and potentially hurt them in the process. It’s called obeying the rules of the road…and putting in measures to ensure this happens.
As soon as Bloomberg goes, as the city charter was changed so he cannot buy another term, so will the mess he’s made with the bike lanes. BYE!
I’m so glad to see the sensible progression of events toward making the PPW bike lane a permanent fixture.
I live on PPW and have been a constant observer of its users over the last ten months, as well as a freguent PPW pedistrian and occasional recreational cyclist. I can say, with a fair degree of confidence, the following:
a)Enough people use and enjoy the lane to merit its existence. It is safe, useful, and, from what I’ve seen and heard, a welcome addition to the community.
b)Crossing the bike lane requires no more (or less) caution than crossing PPW or any busy urban street in general.
c)There are still some wild drivers on PPW, but installation of the bike lane has definitely made PPW a more pedestrian friendly avenue by the slowing of traffic in general.
d)I’m baffled by the aesthetics arguments. PPW is still a beautiful boulevard lined with gorgeous historic homes, apartment buildings, trees, and flanked by Prospect Park itself.
Let’s face it: the PPW bike lane was never a bad idea. It needed to have broad community support, ongoing safety modifications based on issues as they arose, and a patient “wait and see” attitude after its installation, all of which has happened/is happening as of today.
Despite what I see as some pretty overwrought statements and concerns by its opponents, the verdict is in. Enough people like it and appreciate its value to the community to warrant making it a permanent fixture.
May I point out that this CrownHeightsProud is not the reaql one. It’s some fake who hacked the name of someone who is a regular, and much admired poster on brownstoner. So Fake CHP- cut it out.
CrownHeightsProud…
This is your second post in 4 years. So about the only thing that got you excited enough to type in the last 4 years was the “satisfying” prospect of someone being killed?
You’re really beautiful people.
It is going to be satisfying to see some cyclist KILLED?
Did I get that right, Crown Heights Proud?
I just remembered why I never discuss bike lanes.
Ilovebrooklyn, cyclists are harder to see than cars. If they are out at twilight and the cyclist is not using lights, they’re near impiossible to see at any distance. Having said that, I’m sure the senior citizens are putting the feet up and sipping cocoa in front of the fire by twilight.
Dittoburg, I hear you — but you can literally. see. hundreds. of. yards. in. each. direction. I’m not sure how much clearer a crossing for the elderly (or anyone else) one could possibly desire.
dittoburg. I can’t imagine the vast majority of cyclists not being careful when they see a person with a walker or even one who’s impaired.
In years of cycling & walking here, have I seen uncaring cyclists? Yes, but many fewer than cars which turn through sidewalks disregarding peds. These people who claim it’s unsafe, how do they cross the street at all? Or dodge the SUV strollers?
“Pedestrians who need a refuge to cross 7′ of bike lane should not be allowed on the streets.”
“If you look right and left you can see hundreds of yards in each direction.”
You guys really need to get old and see your mobility cut down to the base basics and your senses, including hearing and eyesight, not what they used to be.
I support bike lanes, but the simple fact is that many cyclists see pedestrians as simply another obstacle to get around, like many car drivers. No surprise there.