Construction to begin on Bedford Avenue protected bike lane in Bed-Stuy
Streetview of Bedford Avenue. © 2024 Google
One of the most dangerous sections of Brooklyn’s longest street will soon be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Tuesday announced work will begin this week on a 1.5-mile protected bike lane from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue in Bed-Stuy, among other safety improvements, including new pedestrian islands and loading zones. Similar bike lane redesigns in NYC have led to a 21 percent drop in injuries, according to a press release.
“The addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will create a critical cycling link in an area where bicycle ridership is booming, while making the road safer for everyone—whether you’re walking, biking, or traveling by car,” Rodriguez said.
Designed as a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, the northbound section of Bedford Avenue between Dean Street and Flushing Avenue is notorious for speeding vehicles, resulting in five pedestrian deaths since 2020.
The new bike lane will not extend past Flushing Avenue into South Williamsburg because of opposition from the Orthodox Jewish community, as Gothamist reported last year.
Meanwhile, cycling in the surrounding neighborhoods has been quickly expanding. Brooklyn Community Board 3 is now home to more than 4,000 Citi Bike annual members, and in 2022 alone, 494,000 Citi Bike trips began within the community board’s boundaries.
Over the past two years, DOT has conducted outreach and worked with stakeholders along Bedford Avenue. The transportation agency hosted virtual and in-person meetings, walkthroughs, and site visits.
DOT workers will begin milling Bedford Avenue between Dean Street and Lafayette Avenue this week, the first phase of the multi-week redesign process. Streets are usually milled for two to three weeks before being paved. The agency expects the project to be completed by the end of 2024.
Spanning more than 10 miles, Bedford Avenue is Brooklyn’s longest street, stretching from Sheepshead Bay to Williamsburg.
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