Traffic & Transit
Construction Will Begin On Bed-Stuy's New Bike Lane This Week
Bedford Avenue will gain numerous safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, the NYC Department of Transportation said.
BROOKLYN, NY — A 1.5-mile stretch of Bedford Avenue is getting a protected bike lane, the New York City Department of Transportation said on Tuesday.
The construction on the bike lane, as well as several other safety improvements, is expected to start this week DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said today.
The street will also have new pedestrian islands, which will reduce crossing distance and improve visibility, as well as new loading zones.
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“The addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will create a critical cycling link in an area where bicycle ridership is booming, while making the road safer for everyone — whether you’re walking, biking, or traveling by car,” Rodriguez said. “The city has conducted thorough outreach along the corridor and looks forward to completing the project this year.”
NYC DOT teams will begin construction on Bedford Avenue between Dean Street and Lafayette Avenue this week, the first step in a multi-week process. NYC DOT expects the entire redesign process along Bedford Avenue to be completed by the end of the year.
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"This much-needed protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will help smooth transportation through Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights for cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles," Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest said. "I am very pleased that DOT has been responsive to the advocacy of the community and I look forward to the installation of these safety improvements."
The location is far from random — the northbound portion of Bedford Avenue between Dean Street and Flushing Avenue has seen five pedestrian fatalities since 2020, and the nearby area is home to more than 4,000 Citi Bike annual members, the DOT said.
"Bedford Avenue has been among Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors for too long," Councilmember Che Ossé said. "Cyclists and pedestrians should not be forced to put their safety at risk just to commute to work, and the development of this protected bike lane will finally end that unacceptable situation."
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