POLL: Lafayette Avenue Bike Lane?
After months of debate, a simple question: Yea or Nay on cyclist right of way?
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It was issue that some may have thought dead—at least for the near future.
After the Department of Transportation’s proposed bike lane along Lafayette Avenue failed to be considered by the full Community Board 2 last year, the city tabled the idea, presumably to reintroduce it at a later date.
However, after Fort Greene Association introduced its Make Lafayette Avenue Safer campaign this week, the bike lane issue has received renewed attention that will culminate in a presentation to CB2's Transportation Committee on Jan. 17.
So in the grand spirit of civil democratic discourse, we thought we'd take the question to the people for an up-or-down vote, for the first time:
Cheryl
11:21 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
YES! Drivers are maniacs on this street and something must be done to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Bed Stuy All Day
12:55 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
No! There is an eastbound lane on Willoughby already. If we want to make the street safer maybe we should be talking about more street lighting, count down clocks and a different traffic light pattern. Unfortunately, a bike lane on Lafayette is not supported especially in community board 3. It is most unfortunate that this safe street campaign has not considered that those traveling east west for longer than a few blocks within board 2 might need more than one lane of traffic on a bus route to ensure a comfortable and reasonable commute. Bike lanes are necessary and good but ought not be on bus routes. Let's use the many other streets that connect our communities and offer safe routes that will be utilized by both commuter and recreational bike riders.
Cheryl
1:26 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
The community board may not support a bike lane, but the community does. It's the community board's job to set aside personal opinions and listen to the community.
Plenty of Brooklyn bike lanes are on bus routes: 5th Avenue, Bergen St, Dean St, Jay Street, Smith Street. Many community boards and transportation engineers disagree with you.
Mrs. Walker
1:39 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Do you know how many car lanes there are in Brooklyn? Why do drivers need one on Lafayette?
Brownstone Queen
3:21 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
I live near Lafayette Ave between Fulton Street and Clinton Avenue. I think the street is too narrow for a bike lane.
Ali
9:51 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Yes! Lafayette is plain dangerous! It is a nightmare for pedestrians and cyclists because cars think it is okay to drag race up it to beat the lights.
Robert
12:27 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Drivers need to slow down on Lafayette Ave. Removing a lane will force them to do so and make it safer for kids especially, pedestrians generally and cyclists definitely. It's long overdue. If the NYPD won't enforce traffic speed limits and traffic laws, then communities have to do it by installing traffic calming measures like bike lanes and speed bumps. Fort Greene is a neighborhood for people not a freeway for those traveling for points beyond. If traffic doesn't move fast enough for you, try the subway or better yet get on a bike.