The removal of a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue has jeopardized cyclist safety, placing riders between parked cars and fast-moving traffic. An effort to create a safe cycling path on Bedford has been inconsistent over two decades, with significant pedestrian injuries prompting action. After installing a protected bike lane, which led to a notable reduction in injuries, pressure from local groups resulted in its removal, endangering cyclists yet again. The situation reflects ongoing conflicts in urban transportation planning and community needs.
A bunch of cars were parked in the bike lane, and suddenly I had to pass those cars by going into traffic, which is unsafe," said one cyclist who gave the name Audrey. "Do I feel less safe now? Yes, absolutely."
Bedford between Dean Street and Flushing Avenue was named a Vision Zero Priority Corridor because 641 people were injured, 29 seriously, between 2016 and 2020. It retained that ignominious status with five pedestrian fatalities in 2021 and 2022.
The Department of Transportation finally acted, completing a parking-protected bike lane on the strip late last year - a move that the agency said reduced total injuries on the full 1.5-mile stretch by "more than 12 percent" and "by more than 38 percent for pedestrians."
Collection
[
|
...
]