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Bedford Avenue community calls for bike lanes to be moved after child struck by cyclist

The child was struck while ducking behind cars in a "No Standing Parking" section that was made to increase visibility, yet is frequently parked up with cars according to residents.

Rob Flaks

Nov 16, 2024, 3:52 AM

Updated 25 days ago

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Residents on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg are calling the DOT to move the bike lanes that were recently installed on the street, following a child being struck by a cyclist earlier this week.
The child was struck while ducking behind cars in a "No Standing Parking" section that was made to increase visibility, yet is frequently parked up with cars, according to residents.
The child needed stitches following the incident and is now scared to walk alone, according to his father.
"He holds me very close now and I had to walk him to and from school, and even then, we had a bike going past right on us," said Asher Halpert.
Residents in the neighborhood say they have sat down with DOT to propose an alternative route for the bike lane, having it move from Bedford Avenue to nearby Classon Avenue and end at Flushing Avenue just as the current route does.
"This is no regular street, we have 1,500 children in the neighborhood getting on and off of buses, and this is not reality that can be ignored," said Rabbi David Niederman.
Residents say they have sat down with DOT but have not heard back on plans to change the lane, something they hope would have more momentum following the accident.
"I understand they want to protect the bikers, but they just cannot ignore the fact that we children so many children going on it the bus without safe passage," Halpert said.
They tell News 12 the "No Standing" spots also need to be reexamined, as they say they are often parked in, exacerbating visibility issues, and encouraging double parking.
"I walk with my kids all the time, now I am scared I am going to get a call, that they have been struck because these cyclists are not accountable, they do not stop, and there is no way to make them out there is no license plate or a model," said resident Yehoshuh Weiner.
In a statement to News 12, DOT said "Protected bike lanes provide a range of safety benefits for everyone on our streets—including pedestrians—reducing deaths and serious injuries for pedestrians by 29.2 percent. This project for Bedford Avenue is still under implementation and will provide a critical cycling link for riders while shortening crossing distances for pedestrians and improving visibility for those crossing at intersections.”
The agency also confirmed it had met with stakeholders regarding the project but pointed to the vast majority of pedestrian injuries within the borough being caused by motor vehicles as opposed to cyclists.