Community blames protected bike lanes for child being hit by cyclist on Bedford Avenue
Four months ago, the same thing happened to another child on the same block.
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Community members say a young boy was struck by a cyclist Sunday after hopping off a school bus.
They say the incident isn't the first and won't be the last if changes aren't made.
People who know the child say he was taken to the hospital and is now home recovering, but parents say this is becoming a terrifying reality.
Four months ago, the same thing happened to another child on the same block.
Community members say protected bike lanes are to blame.
"The problem is that the way it is built right now, supposedly it is a protected bike lane, but it happens so often that pedestrians and children are being injured more and more on this setting and that has to be changed," said a man who wanted to remain anonymous.
Community members say they've been voicing their concerns to local officials for months.
News 12 reached out to Council member Lincoln Restler's office for a statement:
"We must work together as a community to prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and most of all children. While our office has worked with the Department of Transportation to secure extended school bus loading zones and other adjustments - it's not enough. We've made additional suggestions for safety interventions and raised the issue with DOT leadership at a hearing this week where they committed to do more."
The Department of Transportation released the following statement:
"Bike lanes make streets safer for everyone and we will continue to work with the community to ensure traffic laws are followed and to educate the public on stopping when a school bus is loading and unloading, and to look both ways before crossing a lane of traffic. We have been working to incorporate community feedback and with NYPD to ensure parking and traffic rules, in place for safety reasons, function as intended."
