A recent survey conducted by the nonprofit Jewish Future Alliance unveiled strong community opposition to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal for protected bike lanes on Kingston and Brooklyn Avenues.
The survey, which included over 900 participants and 860 complete responses, underscores the concerns from local residents about the proposed changes, according to a press release.
"Our survey results show overwhelming opposition to the current proposal, with only 6% in support and 90% opposed," said Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, the founder of the Jewish Future Alliance. "The plan will lead to cultural displacement and gentrification, making it very hard, if not impossible, for large families and seniors to live in that part of the district... Furthermore, we do not believe it will make the streets safer, nor does the data support that claim."
Community members have raised several concerns about the proposal, including difficulties with snow removal, parking issues, traffic congestion and safety.
While 75% of respondents perceived traffic as a problem in Crown Heights, only 8% supported the DOT's proposal in its current form, with 2% of respondents being neutral or unsure about the proposal.
The Jewish Future Alliance calls on the DOT to reconsider the proposal and engage with the community to develop a plan that balances safety improvements with practical needs. Community members noted that they would either prefer the proposed protected bike lane to start from East New York instead of Empire Boulevard (11%) or they oppose the lane completely (83%). Preferred safety measures the community highlighted instead included, extended or raised sidewalks (61%) and speed cameras (22%).
