Page 26 - The Indian EYE 051526

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 15, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

Mayor Mamdani Joins Bergen Bike Bus

to Announce Safety Improvements for

Families Biking to School in Brooklyn

City to develop street redesign featuring “bike boulevard” along Bergen Street and Dean Street

NEERAJ DHAR neighbors and working with DOT to
bring about the safety improvements
NEW YORK
that are needed on Bergen and Dean
n National Bike and Roll to Streets, which are both heavily used
School Day, Mayor Zohran corridors through Prospect Heights
OKwame Mamdani and New and Crown Heights.”
York City Department of Transpor- “I applaud Mayor Zohran
tation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mamdani and DOT Commission-
Mike Flynn rode with students and er Mike Flynn for prioritizing safety
families from the Bergen Bike Bus for school children, pedestrians and
to announce plans for a street safety cyclists,” said Assembly Member La-
redesign along the Bergen and Dean trice Walker. “I look forward to the
Street corridors from Court Street to safety improvements along Bergen
East New York Avenue in Brooklyn. and Dean Streets and the anticipated
The 10-mile east-west routes are reduction in the number of crash-re-
key cycling corridors and home to lated injuries along the 10-mile corri-
the city’s most popular “bike bus,” dor. And there’s the added benefit of
a weekly caravan of parents and stu- reduced traffic. Everybody wins.”
dents traveling to school together. “When we make our streets safer
The redesign will include a bike so grateful for the parents, volunteers pedestrian improvements. Protected for cyclists, we make them safer for
boulevard, a street design that prior- and caregivers of the Bergen Bike bike lanes have been shown to re- everyone,” said Brooklyn Borough
itizes cyclists and pedestrians while Bus and look forward to developing duce deaths and serious injuries for President Antonio Reynoso. “The
maintaining local vehicle access. safer Bergen and Dean streets that all road users by 18.1% and for pe- creation of a bike boulevard is a ma-
These corridors are designed to re- will benefit all New Yorkers using destrians by 29.2%. jor win for our borough, especially
duce traffic, calm speeds and create these corridors each day.” The project will be implemented for the thousands of Brooklynites
safer, more comfortable routes for “On this National Bike & Roll in phases. The City plans to release a who walk, bike and drive down Dean
riders of all ages. to School Day we, the Bergen Bike design proposal later this year, with and Bergen every day. I’m grateful to
“Bike boulevards give families Bus, are overjoyed by Mayor Mam- the first phase targeted for instal- Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT for
the peace of mind they need to start dani’s announcement. Thank you lation in 2027. NYC DOT has also leading this effort, and I encourage
the day right: by enjoying a safe, easy to the City leaders for hearing our launched a new online feedback por- all Brooklynites to participate in the
ride to school,” said Mayor Mam- weekly pleas, for riding along with us tal to begin public engagement. public engagement process to shape
dani. “From protected bike lanes to and for working to give kids the rec- The redesign will be coordinated the future of this vital corridor.”
safer crossings, these redesigns make ognition they deserve as citizens and with several ongoing planning efforts, “District 39 has some of the
our streets work for people and en- street users of NYC,” said the Bergen including the Atlantic Avenue Mixed highest rates of cycling in Brooklyn,
courage our youngest neighbors to Bike Bus. “Biking to school is an ac- Use Plan (AAMUP), the Flatbush and corridors like Bergen and Dean
grow into lifelong riders. It was such tive and fun way to start the day. Bik- Avenue busway, the Grand Army are essential routes for neighbors,
a joy to ride with the families of the ing to school can be safe not just on Plaza-Prospect Heights Public Realm especially young riders, getting to
Bergen Bike Bus, who have for years a bike bus, but every day. Bergen is Plan and the Metropolitan Transpor- school safely,” said Council Member
strapped on their helmets and pulled a bike route in name, and now DOT tation Authority’s (MTA) Brooklyn Shahana Hanif. “This redesign is an
out their bikes to show the need for can begin to transform it into a true Bus Network Redesign. investment in the health, safety and
better cycling infrastructure. Now, Bike Boulevard, where kids, parents The announcement is part of the everyday mobility of our communi-
we’re building a city that meets that and all road users feel comfortable Mamdani administration’s initiatives ty. I thank Mayor Mamdani for his
vision.” and safe. Thank you to the kids, fam- during National Bike Month. Earli- leadership on this effort, and I look
“Streets that are the envy of the ilies and team of volunteer marshals er this week, NYC DOT launched a forward to working with DOT and
world are safe for people of all ages who bring joy to Brooklyn every week feedback portal for the City’s secure local stakeholders to ensure these
and abilities. Biking is a healthy and and who demonstrate that biking to bike parking program and released improvements reflect the needs of
fun way for children to get exercise, school benefits everyone, and thank the 2026 Bike Map. District 39.”
and with the right street design, more you to the City leaders for supporting “It’s critically important that “Getting around our city should
students can feel safe and empow- this version of free buses!” our children and commuters have a be safe for drivers, cyclists and pe-
ered to bike to school without the Bike boulevards vary by neigh- safe way to get to and from school destrians alike,” said Council Mem-
requirement of a large caravan of borhood and may include protected and work,” said Assembly Member ber Sandy Nurse. “Traffic-calming
parents to protect them,” said NYC bike lanes, sidewalk extensions, me- Phara Souffrant Forrest. “I’m real- measures prevent injuries and deaths
DOT Commissioner Flynn. “We are dians, traffic-calming measures and ly looking forward to hearing from Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com