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Mayor Eric Adams' Decision to Remove Protected Bike Lane on Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue Sparks Outrage Among Advocates

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has faced criticism for his efforts to remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, a move that has been met with resistance from local transportation advocates. A state judge ruled that the city can remove the bike lane and relocate it to the middle of the street, sparking concerns about the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

Key Takeaways:

  • The protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue was installed last year, providing cyclists with a safe route protected by parked cars.
  • Mayor Adams ordered the removal of the bike lane in May, citing concerns about safety and community feedback.
  • Local transportation advocates argued that Adams could not unilaterally relocate the bike lane without conducting an environmental study.
  • Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo ruled that the mayor could move forward with the change, stating that it was not a major transportation project.
  • The removal of the bike lane has been met with opposition from advocates, who argue that it will increase the risk of accidents and compromise the safety of cyclists.
  • This is not the first time that Mayor Adams has rolled back a street safety project; during his first three years in office, he was criticized for reversing or scaling back several street redesigns.
  • The removal of the bike lane is seen as a win for Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent and has sought support from North Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish communities.

Statistics:

  • 3-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl was struck by an e-bike rider in the bike lane in May.
  • The city Department of Transportation installed the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue last year.
  • 2007: A version of the Bedford Avenue lane was first installed, but community leaders successfully advocated for its removal two years later.
  • During his first three years in office, Mayor Adams rolled back several street safety projects, including removing a dedicated busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx and overhauling McGuiness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Sources:

  • Gothamist: "Mayor Eric Adams Orders Removal of Bike Lane Protection Along Stretch of Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue"
  • Gothamist: "Judge Blocks Mayor Adams from Removing Protected Bedford Avenue Bike Lane"
  • Streetsblog: "Anti-Miracle on 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work on 34th Street Busway"
  • Gothamist: "Advocates Worry Which Street Safety Project Mayor Adams Will Abandon Next"

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