Mayor Adams's recent action to remove bike lane protections on Bedford Avenue has ignited concerns regarding safety increases for cyclists and pedestrians, as indicated by the Department of Transportation's testimony. The DOT asserts that the escalation of hazard not only undermines efforts to enhance street safety but also exposes the city to legal liabilities. Despite proposals to redirect the bike lane to a less effective route, evidence shows that injuries along Bedford Avenue have significantly decreased since the lane's inception, affirming its critical role in promoting safety for all road users.
DOT has stressed that removing the protected bike lane will not eliminate cyclists; rather, it will compromise the safety of all street users. This represents a clear breach of the Vision Zero initiative's goals, putting the city at legal risk for knowingly reducing safety on crucial corridors.
By forcing cyclists to divert their routes instead of allowing them to take a direct path, the current plan undermines basic respect for cyclist's needs and safety, as northbound cyclists may end up on less safe streets rather than following safer, established paths.
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