A Brooklyn judge has approved the removal of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane, citing the administration's rationale as rational and indicating it will be replaced with an unprotected lane. The Department of Transportation reported a 47% decrease in injuries since the installation of the protected lane. However, the city expressed concerns about safety due to collisions between cyclists and pedestrians, leading to the belief that the unprotected lane would be safer. A lawsuit against the city regarding this decision was dismissed by the judge.
In her July 9 decision, Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo said the administration's reasons behind removing the lane were 'rational,' since it will be replaced with a traditional non-protected bike lane.
The Department of Transportation has found that injuries are down 47% on Bedford Avenue between Flushing and DeKalb avenues since the protected bike lane was installed last fall.
Walker-Diallo wrote, the city argued that there have been 'multiple reports of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians, particularly children,' in the lane, believing that an unprotected bike lane will be safer.
'Deeply disappointed that the Court has ruled that the City may move ahead with its decision to remove the Bedford Avenue [protected bike lane],' wrote Peter Beadle, reacting to the decision.
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