Park Avenue business owners say newly installed concrete barriers causing issues
The Department of Transportation placed them there, as well as other places in New York City, to prevent cars from driving illegally in bike lanes.
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Business owners along Park Avenue say they are upset with the concrete barriers installed in front of their stores.
The Department of Transportation placed them there, as well as other places in New York City, to prevent cars from driving illegally in bike lanes. However, some believe they are a safety hazard.
"This is a daily occurrence. People are hitting it, they're running up on it and I feel it's a real hazard to the community," said Eric Koch.
He says that the barriers were installed about five days ago in front of his Best Value store at 4095 Park Ave., and they've already caused eight accidents. Koch said he knows the barriers are for biker safety but Park Avenue is more commercial, and bikes rarely travel down there.
"Nobody rides bikes here, they go on Webster Avenue, on Third Avenue but not Park Avenue, this is taking up space," said a person named Al, who works in the area.
Koch's business partner, Rusbel Roman, says the barriers have also affected their business.
They say sales have dropped 20% since the barriers went up. They want them removed, but the Department of Transportation said in a statement that the barriers will remain to protect cyclists.
