Community members split on additional protection of bike lanes along Park Avenue

This change comes after William Cruz, 35, died in a hit-and-run crash while driving a moped on Park Avenue.

Noelle Lilley and Adolfo Carrion

Jun 12, 2024, 2:23 AM

Updated 108 days ago

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The Department of Transportation announced that bike lanes along Park Avenue would be getting additional protection – something not all of the community members are on board with.
This change comes after William Cruz, 35, died in a hit-and-run crash while driving a moped on Park Avenue.
DOT workers were pictured installing barriers on the south side of the avenue from 188th Street to 173rd Street, but not everyone likes them.
“On a commercial space with a tall truck and a big vehicle…you don't have enough space to turn,” said Jose Lozano, owner of a repair shop on Park Avenue.
Advocates like Jon Orcutt, of Bike NYC, say that “it’s life or death for somebody in a bike lane” and that while it may cause difficulties, the shields are only “a foot and a half wide at their base.”
Community Board 6 tells News 12 that they have submitted multiple requests to remove the barriers in problematic locations for businesses – specifically at 4564 Park Avenue, 540 E 180th, 4216 Park Avenue, and 4521 Park Avenue.