A Major Crown Heights Roadway Is Getting A New Bike Lane
Image: Department of Transportation
Good news for Crown Heights bicyclists: In a rather sweeping measure, Franklin Avenue will receive a major bike-friendly makeover this summer.
DNAinfo reports that this July, the Department of Transportation may transform a stretch of Franklin Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Empire Boulevard into a bike lane for the safety of cyclists and drivers alike.
In a plan set before Community Boards 8 (Prospect Heights and northern Crown Heights) and 9 (south Crown Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens), the DOT will turn 17 feet of driving and parking lanes into an 11-foot driving lane and a 5-foot biking lane with two 9-foot parking lanes on either side.
Unfortunately, that plan has hit a bit of a snag because the two community boards involved in the matter are divided. Community Board 8’s transportation committee already gave their approval and the entire board is set to vote on the measure on June 12. Meanwhile, Community Board 9’s full board rejected the measure earlier this month over concerns that Franklin Avenue will still be too dangerous for cyclists even after the changes. The plan is up for a re-vote later this month.
Ultimately, though, the DOT is free to do what they please and can effect the change if they see fit. Still, they’ve expressed a commitment to working with both Community Boards to figure the matter out.
Follow Nikita Richardson on Twitter @nikitarbk
