In Queens, New York, a proposed bike lane that would cut through Long Island City’s industrial area has been temporarily halted by a local judge. The decision came after area business owners raised legal concerns, arguing the plans were advanced without thorough safety evaluations.
The business community along Review Avenue challenged the Department of Transportation (DOT), pointing out that their safety concerns were overlooked in the planning of the new bike route. The stretch in question is known for heavy and complex traffic patterns, often dominated by large trucks and frequent double-parking, which could prove hazardous not just for cyclists but also for the general flow of traffic.
Matthew Dienstag, co-owner of LeNoble Lumber and a leader in the opposition, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the DOT’s process. According to Dienstag, the DOT seemed to have made their decision unilaterally, without substantial consideration of alternative routes or detailed safety analysis.
In response to growing concerns, 32 business owners along the planned route signed a petition urging the DOT to reconsider their plans, specifically requesting a pause on the project. Despite their efforts, construction was set to begin this fall until the recent court decision.
The proposed bike lane aimed to connect the Pulaski and Kosciuszko bridges, creating a direct route through Borden, Starr, and Review avenues. This plan intended to serve the increasing number of cyclists in the area and was promoted as a safety improvement. However, those familiar with the area’s day-to-day logistics argue that the addition of a bike path could exacerbate already challenging traffic conditions.
The ongoing lawsuit contends that the city did not perform due diligence in studying the impact of the route on local traffic, safety, and the environment. The industrial neighborhood, known as Blissville, experiences frequent truck and forklift movements, with large vehicles often needing to maneuver across lanes, a situation that could become more perilous with the addition of cyclist traffic.
In defense, a DOT spokesperson asserted that the project had gone through thorough evaluation from both cycling and freight perspectives. They argued that the new design would incorporate common urban street elements and lead to narrower lanes aimed at slowing traffic, purportedly increasing safety for all.
Despite these claims, local businesses have hired a traffic consultant to assess the route, whose findings have supported their concerns over decreased safety and disruptions to business operations.
The project saw support from the local community board, civic associations, and Councilwoman Julie Won, who argued the lane would provide a much-needed safe passage for cyclists traveling between Brooklyn and Western Queens.
This temporary restraining order isn’t the last word on the matter; the DOT will have an opportunity to present its case more robustly in a hearing scheduled for next month.
Considering the heated debate surrounding the proposed bike lane, the upcoming court proceedings are expected to scrutinize not only the safety evaluations but also the process by which community input was solicited and considered.
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