“Victory” for Bike Lane Advocate

By on August 16, 2010 10:19 am in Brooklyn Heights, Parking, Transportation

Henry Street Bike Lane - Aug. 15

The Henry Street bike lane, is now actually car-free on Sundays.

Last December was when the BHB first covered the use of the bike-lane as a parking lot by members of the First Presbyterian Church.

It’s taken eight months of my kvetching and strategery, but working with Assemblywoman Millman’s office, and  the 84th precinct, the church has seen the light. Gory details over at Inklake (the blog of yours truly, who promises Homer that he’ll try to write about something else).


17 Responses to “Victory” for Bike Lane Advocate

  1. Clintonious Wow August 16, 2010 at 11:06 am #

    Wonderful news. Glad to see our leaders affirm that the rule of law applies to all, even the church-going.

  2. DrewB August 16, 2010 at 11:09 am #

    Well done. Just shows what a little perseverance can accomplish.

  3. my2cents August 16, 2010 at 11:25 am #

    I’m impressed that you succeeded in your curmudgeonly yet noble endeavor. Maybe you can get the city to stop people ticketing in front of 20 Henry next!

  4. Bongo August 16, 2010 at 11:51 am #

    Ummmm, which Henry street are we talking about here? It was jammed packed with cars yesterday, as usual.

  5. Peter Kaufman August 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm #

    Thanks. If I had a family crest, a honey badger would be on it.

    Fortudine vincimus.

  6. Peter Kaufman August 16, 2010 at 12:49 pm #

    Bongo,
    Maybe you’re referring to the situation in front of the Lebanese church – between Montague and Remsen?

    Hopefully this will serve as an example of being good neighbors, to those guys.

  7. Bongo August 16, 2010 at 12:57 pm #

    Nope. The stretch between Clark and Love Lane was full of cars yesterday morning.

  8. AEB August 16, 2010 at 3:39 pm #

    Excellent, Peter! Let us now hope that the car ban is observed. Thank you!

  9. Monty August 16, 2010 at 9:06 pm #

    I walked past the maronite church this sunday and was ticked to see not a single SUV parked up on the sidewalk. I guess posting whiny comments on this blog really does work!

  10. Kyle August 16, 2010 at 10:41 pm #

    This is a good step toward making drivers take bike lanes seriously, instead of a bunch of meaningless paint that they can just drive all over, or without looking open their doors into, hitting me in the face which knocked me underneath a car, as happened a few weeks ago. Maybe next we can get the cop cars and vans off the Schermerhorn street bike lane, that seem to be permanently parked there.

  11. eg August 17, 2010 at 11:41 am #

    I’d like bikers to take bike lanes seriously, also. When i cross around Henry Street sometimes a bike comes out of nowhere, going in the opposite direction to the car traffic. Aren’t bicycles supposed to obey all traffic lights and one-way directions, same as cars? I push a rollator and may be slow, so I’m upset by sudden movement that I don’t expect. Some bikers treat the lane as “anything goes”.

  12. Peter Kaufman August 17, 2010 at 12:50 pm #

    To eg,
    Yes, bike lanes are meant to be used in the ‘direction’ of traffic. The northbound lane in Brooklyn Heights is on Clinton.

  13. Andy August 17, 2010 at 9:50 pm #

    There were three “Jesus Saves” vans parked in the bike lane in front of the Presbyterian church on Henry Street at 4:00 PM on Sunday 8/15. Whatever changes were made its still far from a car free bike lane.

  14. Peter Kaufman August 17, 2010 at 10:29 pm #

    Andy,
    Those are from a group that rents the church. I’ll see what can be done about them. But one step at a time.

  15. LS August 29, 2010 at 6:29 pm #

    Cars are still parked there every Sunday. They start to arrive around 9 AM. No Victory yet.

  16. Peter Kaufman August 29, 2010 at 9:50 pm #

    Hi LS,
    I know some cars are still parked there, but it’s not the whole street. We’re working on getting the rest. What would really help (truly!) is to contact Assemblywoman Millman’s office. Ask to speak to Claire Hudson, who works on this issue.

    Thx.
    PBK

  17. the Where August 29, 2010 at 9:58 pm #

    Get a life people.