Bike Lanes Coming To Classon Ave. After Cyclist's Death

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The New York City Department of Transportation will add bike lanes to Classon Avenue this summer, a year after cyclist Lauren Davis was killed on the busy Brooklyn street.

The DOT made the announcement in a letter to Community Board 8. Because the upgrade is for safety reasons, the upgrades don't require a community board vote.

The bike lanes will run from Washington Avenue at Prospect Park up through Clinton Hill to Flushing Avenue.

In places where the road is one lane, a 13-foot parking lane will be reduced to eight feet to add a five-feet-wide dedicated bike lane. Where Classon is currently two car lanes, a shared bike lane will be installed.

"The upgraded designs will have little impact on drivers while helping to maximize the visibility and right of way for cyclists," the letter says.

Davis was killed in April of 2016 at the intersection of Classon Avenue and Lexington Avenue. While police initially said Davis was traveling the wrong way on Classon, a witness contradicted that account and police eventually changed their official story.

Davis' sister has helped petition local officials to add bike lanes on the street.

View the letter, along with diagrams of the new bike lanes, below:

Image via DOT