Wednesday, February 29, 2012
News Prospect Park Could Lose a Car Lane
Posted by Henry Stewart on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 8:57 AM
A proposal by a task force whose mission is to make Propsect Park safer would reduce the number of car lanes to one from two; it would also make the bike and pedestrian lanes wider, the Daily News reports. The changes, which could go into effect as early as spring, are meant to address increasing safety concerns: nine collisions between bicyclists and pedestrians were reported in the park in 2011, compared to three the year before. There have already been four accidents this year, including two in which people were seriously injured.
Borough President Marty Markowitz, who opposes the Prospect Park West bike lane and has three drivers, called the measure anti-car. "At the very least, I believe that car hours in the park should be extended 30 minutes during the morning and evening rush to compensate for the elimination of a car lane," he told the News.
But officials say the change would hardly affect drivers, who are only allowed in the park during rush hours; it would only increase the length of their trip an average of 13 seconds in the morning, and one second in the evening.
Follow Henry Stewart on Twitter @henrycstewart
[photo]
Top Commenters
