Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue bike lane remains a contentious issue as Mayor Zohran Mamdani seeks to right the wrong of his predecessor's administration. The section of unprotected bike lane has pitted street safety advocates against the Orthodox Jewish community, who have long opposed the project. Last summer, former Mayor Eric Adams removed the protected bike lane between Willoughby and Flushing Avenues as a last-ditch effort to win over the community. However, Mamdani's stance on bike lanes seems to be at odds with his campaign promise of supporting street safety projects.
The removal of the protected bike lane sparked controversy, with advocates arguing that it put the lives of cyclists at risk. The section of Bedford Avenue in question has been a source of tension since 2007, when a 14-block unprotected bike lane was installed and later partially removed due to pressure from the Orthodox Jewish community.
Mamdani's administration is now under pressure to resolve the issue. Street safety advocates are calling for greater protection for cyclists on Bedford Avenue, while some members of the Orthodox community are resistant to the idea. "I understand why this bike lane hasn't been a day-one project for the mayor," said Baruch Herzfeld, an activist in favor of restoring the bike lane.
However, experts argue that Mamdani should move quickly to resolve the issue before building relationships with key stakeholders are established. Sam Schwartz, chair of the transportation research program at Hunter College, warned that "the iron is hot" during a mayor's honeymoon period, and urged Mamdani to take decisive action on street projects.
As the debate rages on, City Hall remains tight-lipped about plans for Bedford Avenue. The spokesperson claimed that they would stick to what was said on the campaign trail, leaving street safety advocates wondering if progress is being made.
The removal of the protected bike lane sparked controversy, with advocates arguing that it put the lives of cyclists at risk. The section of Bedford Avenue in question has been a source of tension since 2007, when a 14-block unprotected bike lane was installed and later partially removed due to pressure from the Orthodox Jewish community.
Mamdani's administration is now under pressure to resolve the issue. Street safety advocates are calling for greater protection for cyclists on Bedford Avenue, while some members of the Orthodox community are resistant to the idea. "I understand why this bike lane hasn't been a day-one project for the mayor," said Baruch Herzfeld, an activist in favor of restoring the bike lane.
However, experts argue that Mamdani should move quickly to resolve the issue before building relationships with key stakeholders are established. Sam Schwartz, chair of the transportation research program at Hunter College, warned that "the iron is hot" during a mayor's honeymoon period, and urged Mamdani to take decisive action on street projects.
As the debate rages on, City Hall remains tight-lipped about plans for Bedford Avenue. The spokesperson claimed that they would stick to what was said on the campaign trail, leaving street safety advocates wondering if progress is being made.
I'm kinda worried about the bike lane situation in Brooklyn... like, I get it, politics can be tough and all, but at the end of the day, people's lives are at stake 
. It seems like Mamdani's trying to play both sides, which is gonna make things harder for him. I think he should just stick to what his campaign promised, you know? Street safety is a pretty basic thing... shouldn't it be a no-brainer? 
If they don't move on this soon, it'll just become another one of those long-standing problems in the city that nobody wants to tackle 
. What do you guys think? Should Mamdani prioritize bike lane safety or play nice with the Orthodox community? 
. As a city dweller, I think it's crazy that there's still tension between cyclists and the Orthodox community. Can't they just find a way to coexist? 
It feels like he's caught between two camps. As someone who values street safety, I think it's essential to have a designated bike path for commuters and tourists alike. How about finding a compromise that works for everyone? 
Like, seriously, a protected bike lane is NOT that hard to implement. It's not like it's gonna break the bank or anything... 
The fact that Mayor Mamdani is even trying to revisit this issue after Eric Adams' u-turn last summer is like, come on! 
Can't the city just make it clear what they're gonna do? Is it protected or unprotected? Just give us some answers already! 
If he doesn't prioritize cyclist safety on Bedford Avenue, it's gonna be a major headache for his administration 
. It's not that hard to find a compromise. The city should've done their research and planned ahead 
. Now, it's all about damage control 
.
. I'm so tired of City Hall playing it cool 
. The people are watching, and we're not gonna forget 
.