Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Embarrasing" Bay Ridge Bike Lane Blocked Yet Again
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 17, 2011
Modified May 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 17, 2011
Modified May 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
when a proposed Bay Ridge Parkway bike lane [pdf] was blocked, Council member Domenic Reccia blamed it on "safety," and said that "it would make the street even more busy." Last night, CB 10 gave no specific reason for voting down the proposal besides saying that cyclists should pay insurance. "I'm embarrassed," said one CB member, "that we rejoice—that some rejoice when they get a bike lane." Haw haw! Because there's nothing more rugged and robust than car-related death and injury. What kind of hippie wants their streets to be safe?
L Magazine's Henry Stewart was there, along with the folks at Transportation Alternatives to voice their support for the 6.3 miles of bike lanes that would connect Bay Ridge to Bensonhurst and the 21st century, but despite an "unusually long and spirited debate" and the fact that "no one came to speak against the bike lanes," the measure was voted against by "too many hands to count." One of the 8 CB members that voted in favor of the measure "spoke eloquently about the benefits of bike lanes—how cities with more bike lanes have less obesity and diabetes, how American cities have the highest rate of bike fatalities in the world." The response? An opponent on the board said "once a bicyclist rode by her very fast, and it was scary."
When asked if the DOT might come up with alternative proposals that would suit everyone, board chair Joanne Seminara noted that such a request had "already been sent. And DOT had ignored it." A spokesperson for the DOT tells us, "DOT gave a presentation on the proposal last year, continued to discuss it with elected officials and other stakeholders over the following months and, based on their feedback, recently notified them that we will not proceed with the installation. As we've done with our projects across the city, we will continue to work with community representatives on ways to make our streets safer for everyone who uses them."
And Transportation Alternatives released a statement lauding the "participatory, community-driven process" that occurred and expressed hope that "the community board will give the people what they're asking for and bring a bike lane to the Bay Ridge Parkway." Given the show of hands in Bay Ridge last night, it may take another year for a chance to do so.
Tagged
bay ridge
bensonhurst
bike lanes
bike lanes backlash
Community Board 10
cycling
safety
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
All of Staten Island and the Bronx will be eligible for seats.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .