Court Street bike lane create challenges for some businesses and neighbors
The Department of Transportation made changes to the roadway to add the bike lane, which also included removing a traffic lane. But some people say it has made traffic worse.
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A bike lane installed along Court Street in Cobble Hill about eight months ago is still drawing mixed reactions from neighbors and business owners.
The Department of Transportation made changes to the roadway to add the bike lane, which also included removing a traffic lane. But some people say it has made traffic worse.
"Some days it's a standstill," said Joan D'Amico, whose family’s coffee shop has been in the neighborhood since the 1940s.
According to her, the loss of parking and added congestion have made it harder for customers to stop in.
"We have meters til 10 p.m. We're not Manhattan – 10 p.m. is totally unreasonable for this area," said D'Amico.
Some cyclists, however, don't see an issue.
"It's been nice to be able to have a main thoroughfare where you can have a pretty protected bike lane all the way down to downtown Brooklyn," said Rebecca Reese, of Cobble Hill.
Business owners emphasized they're not against having the bike lane. They just think there are better ways to make sure that it works for everyone.
In a statement to News 12, the DOT said, "The redesign of Court Street is similar to countless designs across the city, and best practices from around the world, that have shown to support local businesses and improve safety for everyone—whether you are walking, biking, or in a car. As with every street redesign, we are reviewing the corridor any potential adjustments following implementation.”
