New protected bike lane connects Prospect Park, Green-Wood Cemetery

October 23, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The new, protected bike lane along a northern stretch of Fort Hamilton Parkway. Photo courtesy of DOT

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A two-way bike lane has been completed along part of Fort Hamilton Avenue, a street that stretches from a point just southwest of Prospect Park to the Verrazzano Bridge.

The Fort Hamilton Parkway protected bike lane runs one mile from East 5th Street, the northern end of the parkway (and the location of the F train’s Fort Hamilton Parkway station) to Dahill Road, opposite Green-Wood Cemetery.

According to the city Department of Transportation, it was developed in response to a community request for two-way, protected bike lanes in the area, along with a request for pedestrian improvements at Fort Hamilton Parkway and McDonald Avenue.

The unprotected bike path along Fort Hamilton Parkway before
improvements.
Photo courtesy of DOT

In 2010, DOT installed a bike lane along Fort Hamilton Parkway in the westbound direction that served as a key connection from Prospect Park, with the eastbound lane companion lane being on Caton Avenue. The new two-way lane strengthens the direct connection to the park.

Cyclists will now be able to enjoy two-way cycling access from Grand Army Plaza to the southeast base of Green-Wood Cemetery. In addition, thestretch also further connects to 4th Avenue via lanes on Dahill Road, 12th Avenue and 37th Street.

NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman Eagle file photo

This new bike lane delivers various safety and mobility enhancements to the area including:

• Creating an eastbound bike route to Prospect Park by providing an alternative to Caton Avenue.

• Simplifying the connection to Borough Park and Sunset Park by reducing conflicts.

• Improving pedestrian safety with shortened crossing distances.

• Improving cyclist safety and comfort due to reduced double parking in the bike lane.

• Maintaining motor vehicle circulation and discourage speeding by narrowing the roadway.

“Every new bike lane in our city is cause for celebration, especially during Biketober,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Now, cyclists ttraveling along Fort Hamilton Parkway will have a safer ride. I want to thank our dedicated DOT staff for their hard work and dedication, as well as Borough President [Eric] Adams and Councilmember [Brad] Lander for their support of this wonderful new addition to our ever-expanding bike lane network.”

“We’re so pleased that more cyclists can ride more safely now along Fort Hamilton,” said Bike New York President and CEO Ken Podziba. “Whether you’re a cyclist headed to Prospect Park or a Borough Park resident on foot, this new two-way protected bike lane ensures you can get to where you’re going securely.”

The announcement follows the release of “Safe Streets for Cycling,” study that uses detailed crash data and concludes that the addition of a bicycle lane – whether a protected lane or a conventional one – improves the safety of cyclists by one third. The addition of those lanes also increases the volume of cyclists by an average of 50 percent.

“Protected bike lanes are popular, life-saving, and necessary features of our streetscape. The completion of the protected bike lane along Fort Hamilton Parkway is another important step toward reclaiming car space in line with our NYC 25×25 vision,” said Juan Restrepo, Transportation Alternatives senior organizer.