The city plans to make conditions safer for bikes and pedestrians on and around the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, which opened to much fanfare—and some disappointment—last year.

A Streetsblog NYC article details the New York City Department of Transportation’s efforts to improve the highly anticipated Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, which disappointed some bike advocates when it opened last year.
“Currently, the stretch of Centre Street north of Worth Street is what cyclists call ‘The Sluice’ because it resembles an entry path into an abattoir. Both curbside lanes of the roadway are occupied with placarded court and law enforcement cars.” According to the article, “The slaughterhouse conditions continue northbound on Centre Street to Canal Street. But the roadway definitely does not get safe above Canal. Yes, there is less double parking, but frustrated drivers tend to speed above Canal, where Centre opens up to two wide, rarely obstructed lanes.” Due to these conditions, “Since January 2017, there have been 64 reported crashes on just the two-block stretch of Centre Street between Canal and Grand streets, injuring eight cyclists, three pedestrians and two motorists.”
Now, “Work is under way to extend the Brooklyn Bridge protected bike lane on Centre Street north of Worth Street all the way to Kenmare Square and add a downtown-bound protected bike lane on Lafayette Street south of Kenmare Square, which currently has a painted lane.” Additionally, “The city will cut the motor vehicle lanes on Centre Street from two down to one in the section between Worth and Canal, and had previously said it would install pedestrian island[s] at every intersection along the way (some of those have already been blocked out).”
The plan doesn’t address every issue: “The only thing missing from this gap-closing plan is a better solution for cyclists who want to ride between the Brooklyn Bridge bike path and points west, including the hugely popular Hudson River Greenway.”
FULL STORY: Eyes on the Street: The Dawn of a Better Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane!

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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