Kent Ave Gets Bike Lanes, No Buffer

11211, bike lanes, brooklyn greenway, greenway, kent ave, williamsburg

31 Oct, 2008 by New York Herald in Uncategorized

Kent Ave is getting bike lanes, with work already completed on Kent Ave from Division St. to South 5th. With neighborhood groups, including long time residents, the Hasidim, complaining about lack of parking, we took a look back to Spring of ’08 when the lanes were initially approved. There are two promises we’re not sure are being addressed in the implementation.

First, that the loss of 500 parking spaces on Kent would be made up for by “reclaiming” parking spaces in the neighborhood – this would be done by revisiting load zones, etc. to see what parking spaces can be taken back from street regulation.

Second, that the north/south bike lanes, in keeping with the design for the Brooklyn Greenway, would both be on the East River side of the street, with a protective, plant-filled buffer between the bicyclists and the semi-trucks that use Kent Ave. (see illustration below) Clearly this isn’t the case. Perhaps its a future upgrade and these more conventional bike lanes are temporary placeholders. Certainly, having a buffer would be a much safer way to bike and enjoy the waterfront. It would also be in keeping with the bike path that runs along the West Side Highway near Chelsea Piers.

photo: Kent Ave @ S. 8th.  PSE/The New York Herald.

illustration: proposed Bike path for Kent Ave, via Brownstoner