Local leaders push bike lanes project in Sunset Park. 

A delayed protected bike lanes project is being pushed by local leaders who are working with the New York City Department of Transportation in Sunset Park.

Elected officials say they would have never imagined a bike lane on Fourth Avenue, but the road was also dangerous for pedestrians.

The $54.4 million plan was in response to the rise in cyclists deaths and will include added safety improvements.

This year, 18 cyclists citywide have died after being involved in accidents.

The bicycle network will connect Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Gowanus and Park Slope. This is where 13 of the 18 cyclist fatalities occurred.

Em Samolewicz, 30, was killed while riding her bike on Third Avenue in Sunset Park on July 29. She swerved to avoid a driver opening their doork at a parked car and collided into a tractor-trailer.

Work toward the project began in 2017, but a separate MTA project in 2018 held up construction.