A survey of over 1,000 Prospect Heights community members found that although many approve the transformation of Underhill Avenue, there still remained enough locals who did not like the addition of bike lanes and other safety measures.
According to a report by the Environmental, Sanitation and Transportation Committee of Brooklyn Community Board 8, a survey of over 1,100 people found that almost 63% of respondents said they supported all of the changes the city implemented, which included the addition of bike lanes, daylighting measures and making some portions of Underhill Avenue, between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue, one-way to vehicular traffic. The remainder said they supported some or none of the changes.
However, only 48% of respondents said they were satisfied with the current layout of the street, and the remainder would prefer a different configuration, the survey found.
The addition of the bike lane and changes to Underhill, part of the Department of Transportation's Open Streets program, has split the community for several years. Opponents have said the city's reconfiguration of the street removed parking spaces and cause traffic disruptions when deliveries are made by large trucks.
"This project has divided the community – not necessarily in even numbers, but in depth of passion," the report said.
The report concludes that the street changes did benefit the community, which included space to pedestrians and cyclists, and slowed speed for vehicles. However, it also admits that the bike boulevard did not serve “all segments” of the community.
The community board report recommends the DOT to review intersections where visibility could be increased for all street users and consider having a consistent street configuration, as some parts of the street alter from being a two-way to a one-way street. The report cites confusion from signage on which way users should travel down the avenue, and the changes negatively affecting operations on the street, such as garbage pick up for P.S. 9, between Bergen Street and St. Marks Avenue.
Community Board 8 on Thursday voted to send the report to the DOT.
In an emailed statement, a DOT spokesperson said the department will review the recommendations, but did not say when the community's input would be addressed.
