Kensington

Hikind urges caution on Ocean Parkway bike path

August 6, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The bike and pedestrian paths on Ocean Parkway are clearly delineated. Photo courtesy Assemblymember Dov Hikind’s office
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Pedestrians and bicyclists are wandering into each other’s paths on Ocean Parkway, setting up a potential for serious accidents, according to Assemblymember Dov Hikind, who is urging everyone to exercise caution when out for a stroll or a ride on the grand boulevard.

In an effort to improve safety, Hikind (D-Borough Park-Kensington-Midwood) said he and other lawmakers allocated $6 million in state funding to have new signs, lane markings and other transportation safety features installed on Ocean Parkway.

The allocations are part of NY Works, a program that brings state officials together with architects and construction experts to plan infrastructure improvements around the state. The funding is also meant to supplement the state’s Road and Bridge Capital Plan, Hikind said.

“Along with my colleagues, I was proud to allocate millions of dollars for Ocean Parkway to protect bicyclists and pedestrians and to improve road safety. For years, while walking with my mother I witnessed many potential accidents. The signage has been enhanced tremendously. But I am still seeing pedestrians carelessly walking in clearly designated bike lanes at risk of colliding head-on with bicyclists,” Hikind said.

Pedestrians aren’t the only people not paying attention, according to Hikind.

“In addition, the pedestrian path on the eastern side of Ocean Parkway clearly indicates, ‘No Biking,’ but I continue to see bicyclists ignoring these signs,” he said.

Ocean Parkway, a 4.8-mile-long, seven-lane roadway, runs from Prospect Park to Brighton Beach. The parkway contains medians on each side containing benches, trees and bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same men responsible for Central Park, Ocean Parkway was built in 1874, Kensington BK reported in 2013.

Olmsted and Vaux designed Ocean Parkway in the tradition of grand, tree-lined boulevards in Paris.

“As you take advantage of the beautiful weather, I caution everyone to be cognizant of where you are walking or cycling. The mere sight of potential accidents is frightening but preventable,” Hikind said.

 

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