NEW YORK — Drivers in East New York, Brooklyn, say a street redesign meant to improve safety has made it dangerous for them to pull out of their driveways.
On Corzine Avenue, CBS New York witnessed the true significance on Thursday.
Resident Jaime Brown expressed her frustration, “There’s nothing visible to me. The traffic light is red, but I guess I’ll just have to risk it.”
Drivers leaving the parking lots of the building complex express concerns about their limited visibility when trying to merge into the flow of oncoming traffic on the two-way street.
“There’s no visibility on either side,” Brown pointed out. “When it’s dark, attempting to park becomes even riskier as you can’t even spot any bicyclists approaching.”
After receiving little response from her complaints to 311 and multiple agencies, Brown contacted CBS New York to express her concerns.
She expressed the need for logical coherence. She sought assistance in either facilitating a safer exit for drivers from the driveway or relocating the bike lane to the opposite side of the street. She strongly believed that conducting a new traffic study on this block was imperative.
Angry drivers, who were also exposed to CBS New York’s coverage of the matter, voiced similar complaints.
“Pulling into the street, a driver in a beige sedan shouted, ‘I have no visibility!'”
Lolita Edwards, a resident who has been living in the area for a long time, also paused to discuss the issue, mentioning that she had contacted 311 regarding it as well.
She mentioned that by the time you attempt to step onto the street to observe your path, you find yourself surrounded by vehicles.
The issue goes beyond mere visibility. According to residents, the bike lanes are being abused, as our cameras have recorded instances of pedestrians on wheelchairs and even cars taking advantage of the bike lane to conveniently reach a street parking spot.
In recent weeks, Denise Gary, a resident of East New York, has witnessed all of that.
She expressed her fear, saying, “I’m extremely worried about the possibility of colliding with another car or getting t-boned while exiting. It’s hard for me to comprehend how this could be considered a part of a safety plan.”
Last month, the New York City Department of Transportation announced the completion of East New York’s longest protected bike lane network, comprising over three miles of specially designed lanes prioritizing school safety.
According to residents, cyclists also find the design potentially hazardous as cars occasionally have to remain in the protected bike lane and gradually move forward to exit the parking lot safely.
In a statement, a representative from the DOT said that they collaborated with over 35 local community groups and tenant associations before making changes to Cozine Avenue. These changes were made in response to concerns that previous street and safety improvements in Brooklyn did not adequately address the needs of East New York. Although parking-protected bicycle lanes may be new to residents, they have been proven to significantly reduce accidents and make streets safer for everyone. The DOT appreciates the ongoing feedback from the community and has already made adjustments to the design on this particular block. They kindly request patience from residents as they become accustomed to the new layout. Moving forward, the DOT will closely monitor traffic and safety trends to evaluate the success of this project.
Edwards expressed his support for bike lanes, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a safe environment for both cyclists and drivers.
Residents are suggesting that a straightforward solution to consider would be relocating the bike lane to the other side of the street, where there is no parking lot.
Have a story idea or tip in Brooklyn? Email Hannah by CLICKING HERE.
- In:
- Brooklyn
- East New York
