Judge Dismisses Case Against Modification Of Dangerous Bike Lane

By Idy Perl

This morning a judge ruled that Mayor Eric Adams can proceed with his plan to modify the protected bike lane running between Willoughby and Flushing Avenue in response to the community’s request following several accidents between bicyclists and pedestrians.  

The ruling comes after a group filed a lawsuit against the mayor claiming that he couldn’t make modifications to the bike lane without first notifying the public. Councilman Lincoln Restler was involved in the case and provided an affidavit that confirmed the accusation and stated that the mayor was required by law to provide official notice.

The proposed plan doesn’t remove the bike lane completely but rather modifies it from a protected bike lane on the interior of the road to an unprotected bike lane adjacent to the traffic lanes. This would avoid the many pedestrian accidents that have been occurring with children crossing onto the sidewalk and getting hit by bicyclists.

Today, the judge dismissed the case and ruled that since the change is only a modification, the city was not required to provide prior notice. Mayor Adams and the DOT are now able to proceed with the proposed plans and make the road safer for pedestrians.

"After several dangerous incidents - many of which involved children - the Adams administration listened to the community's concerns and moved to reconfigure the bike lane to its original model while still maintaining safety measures," Mayor Adams said after the ruling. "Following a needless back-and-forth with elected officials who disregarded the needs of their own constituents, we are grateful that the judge dismissed this case and is allowing us to move forward with reconfiguring the bike lane. The families of Williamsburg can now rest assured that their children are safe just steps from their homes."