Councilmember Hanif works to secure intersection after biker tragically killed

Jan. 10 killing of Sarah Schick generated attention to pedestrian incidents in Park Slope, Gowanus

January 30, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Shahana Hanif. AP Photo/Emily Leshner

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GOWANUS – On Jan. 10 a biker was struck and tragically killed at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street. On Sunday, the incident attracted the attention of Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who represents Park Slope and Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront and parts of Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington.

According to Patch and Local News Today, Sarah Schick, 37, a resident of Carroll Gardens, was struck at approximately 7:20 a.m. while riding a Citi Bike. The driver reportedly stayed at the intersection until authorities could initially investigate what had occurred.

A gofundme campaign for the family of Schick was created after the incident and accumulated over $25,000 the first 24 hours it was online. As of Jan. 30, the campaign has gathered over $93,000.

“We have just heard from neighbors that a cyclist was tragically killed at the intersection of 2nd Ave and 9th St,” wrote Hanif in a tweet on Jan. 10.

“The intersection is now blocked off, and our office is in touch with the @NYPD78Pct and @NYC_DOT. We will share more details when we have them. Please stay safe.”

Another Twitter user replied to Hanif’s tweet pointing out that pedestrian infrastructure was lacking at the intersection where Schick was killed.

“I work a block from there. It’s a wide open street, no protection for anyone, painted bike lanes west and east of here but not at this intersection,” wrote Stanley Greenberg, @greenbergphoto1, on Jan. 10. “Time to change that.”

A crash in 2018 near Fifth Avenue in Park Slope prompted state legislators to call for a new law and the installation of safety updates, such as protected bike lanes to Ninth Street from Prospect Park to Third Avenue, according to a patch.com article written on March 5, 2018.

Hanif visited the site on Jan. 20 with Department of Transit officials and local politicians to examine and identify issues with the intersection, which is considered hazardous by locals. The following have been proposals that Hanif and Department of Transit Commissioner Ydanis Rodrioguez have issued:

Signal patterns at the 5th Avenue and 9th Street intersection and the urgent need to add more signage on all four corners.
Unmarked parking spots along the 9th Street bike lane from 4th Avenue to 2nd Avenue.
Signal patterns at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street
Adding proper signage on the 2nd Avenue and 9th Street intersection for trucks to be more cautious.
Redesigning of 9th Street on 2nd Avenue to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

The bike lane on 9th Street, according to Hanif’s Jan. 29 District Newsletter, had multiple issues, “We discussed various issues along the 9th Street bike lane, from signal patterns to the overarching issue of the lack of a protected bike lane at the intersection,” wrote Hanif.

Hanif also indicated that the DOT installed a leading pedestrian interval at the intersection – a street sign with ideographic symbols that display walk and stop – and that other updates and safety commitments to the area of the incident have been submitted to the DOT. Hanif will make DOT’s answers public when they are available.

“DOT has notified our office that a leading pedestrian interval has been implemented at the signal at 9th Street and 2nd Avenue. While this is a great start, there is still a lot of work to be done to make this area safer. Always remember, if you see any other issues related to street safety, please file a complaint through 311 or the DOT webform and email your ticket numbers to [email protected],” the Jan. 29 newsletter stated.