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Prospect Park West Bike Lane Study All But Locks in Lanes
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 20, 2011
Modified Jan 20, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 20, 2011
Modified Jan 20, 2011
Share
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The DOT's report on the impact of the controversial Prospect Park West bike lane is so overwhelmingly positive that it's difficult to see how the bike lane opponents can win this one. The bike lane, which was installed in June 2010, is still technically a pilot program, but the DOT's study all but assures its permanence. According to the DOT, speeding has been dramatically reduced on the former drag strip that was Prospect Park West, injuries and accidents are down, and despite the fears voiced by some local residents, there has not been a single reported pedestrian injury from a pedestrian-bike crash.
Furthermore, Prospect Park West now provides the shortest travel times through Park Slope. Weekday travel times have increased slightly (30 seconds max) on the avenues west of PPW, but given the safety improvements, a few extra seconds seem like a small sacrifice for motorists to make. The DOT's report [pdf] also shows how the department has worked with community groups to alleviate their concerns; changes to the lane included added "rumble strip" pavement markings to alert cyclists to upcoming intersections, and redesigning the 9th Street loading zone by the bandshell.
"Now we know that car accidents are down, so yes, I believe it should be made permanent," Councilman Brad Lander (D-Park Slope) tells the Brooklyn Paper. Still, we look forward to cringing along to the song Borough President Marty Markowtiz is surely composing at this very moment—last time he used the tune of "My Favorite Things" to sing out against the bike lanes. Maybe this time he could consider Metallica's "Enter Sandman"? "Enter bike... I don't like / Taaaaake my hand... Sadik-Khan don't understand"
Tagged
bicyclists
bike lanes
cyclists
ppw
PPW bike lane
prospect park west
Prospect Park West bike lane
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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