ENTIRE block of bike lane on Jay Street blocked by double-parked cars. #bikenyc

Glad to see they’re planning to re-paint the rubbed out Clinton Street bike lane. #bikenyc

Wonder why this sign is still posted here on the Third Street bridge in Gowanus when there is a bike lane now.

Councilmembers Brad Lander and Stephen Levin released the results of their community survey about the effects of the new Prospect Park West bike lane. Click through for the full report.

Copied from an e-mail sent from Brad Lander’s office to survey respondents, here are the top level findings:

Among all 3,150 Brooklyn respondents, there is broad support for the project:
—54% (1,522 respondents) wish to keep the configuration as−is;
—24% (688 respondents) wish to keep the configuration with some changes;
—22% (633 respondents) wish to go back to the previous configuration.

Among the 272 respondents living on PPW, there is a roughly even split between those wishing to keep the bike lanes and those wishing to go back to the previous configuration:
—31% (85 respondents) wish to keep the configuration as−is;
—18% (50 respondents) wish to keep the configuration, with some changes;
—50% (137 respondents) wish to go back to the previous configuration.

DOT’s stated goals for the project were to reduce speeding on Prospect Park West, and to create a safe space for biking. Most respondents feel the project has met these goals:
—85% of survey respondents feel that the project has very much or somewhat met the goal of reducing speeding;
—91% feel it has very much or somewhat met the goal of creating a safer space for biking.
—70% also feel that the project has very much or somewhat made Prospect Park West easier to cross, although pedestrian safety (especially crossing the bike lane) remains a concern for many respondents.

The survey identified many important concerns about the project, especially around pedestrian/bike interactions, as well as parking, design aesthetics, and enforcement. Many pedestrians reported feeling unsafe crossing the bike lanes, and people do feel vulnerable parking and exiting their cars. Nearby residents expressed opinions that the design of the bike lanes does not match the design and character of Prospect Park West. Many respondents spoke of the need for more enforcement of bike rules, double−parking, and other infractions.

Potential Modifications:
A number of potential modifications were identified to address some of the most pressing concerns, including:
—redesigning the pedestrian crossings to better ensure that cyclists yield to those on foot,
—implementing raised pedestrian islands at signalized intersections,
—altering the design to better reflect the character of Prospect Park West,
—widening the parking lanes to make parking safer in appropriate locations, and
—finding opportunities to replace lost parking spots and adding or improving the function of loading and drop−off zones at congestion hotspots.

I was a bike lane for Halloween this year.

They’re saying between 200 and 300 bike-friendly folks turned out for the rally at 8 a.m. this morning in support of the Prospect Park West bike lane.

Here are a few nice roundups posted earlier today:

Hundreds Rally in Support of Prospect Park West Bike Lane (Streetsblog)

Dueling Protests Over a Brooklyn Bike Lane (NY Times City Room blog)

Park Slope Bike Lane Protest Pits Seniors Against Cyclists (Gothamist)

And here are a few photos I took during rally in Grand Army Plaza:

You may have heard about the rally planned for tomorrow morning in support of the new Prospect Park West bike lane… Here’s some of what’s running through my head the night before.

Here are 10 reasons why I love the PPW bike lane:

1) Speeding has been reigned in on PPW. According to surveys conducted by Park Slope Neighbors, average car speeds are down 25 percent since the lane was built, and compliance with the speed limit is up 400 percent.

2) Cyclists can now more safely enter and exit the park from any street in Park Slope with entry points to the bike lane from every street.

3) Pedestrians don’t have to contend with cyclists on the sidewalk between the street and the park.

4) PPW is now a street designed for all members of the community – not just those who own cars.

5) The Grand Army Plaza greenmarket, which is virtually surrounded by busy streets, is easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access now.

6) PPW is a greener street now. And not just because the bike lane is painted green. The per capita carbon footprint of PPW users is almost certainly lower now that more cyclists are able to use it.

7) The number of people choosing to get around the city by bike is rising quickly because it’s a safe, conscientious, affordable and healthy alternative to cars and public transportation. Without improvements to the infrastructure, their safety will be compromised.

8) Proper bike infrastructure leads to more law-abiding cyclists. Which is good for EVERYBODY.

9) PPW is better with a bike lane because we need to be thinking about how best to move New Yorkers around New York – not how to move cars around New York.

10) A monthly subway pass about to go up to $104. ‘Nuff said.

I personally don’t really care that the Henry Street bike lane is going to be blocked for 2.5 hours every Sunday. That’s not really going to affect my life too much. I can deal with riding down the center of the street for a few blocks if I happen to pedal by at that time.

What bothers me is the precedent that this might set. I can only assume precincts in other parts of the city are going to start hearing requests for similar rule-bending now.

And what will their answer be?

Streetsblog reports on this amazing change in the traffic climate along the edge of the park. Reason to celebrate!

In more bike lane-related news… The Smith Street bike lane is open in Carroll Gardens!

Spotted it this morning on my walk to the subway.