“Settling lawsuits isn’t cheap, and New York City taxpayers will be on the hook for the mayor’s blatantly political decision-making”: Statement from Transportation Alternatives

On the northernmost four blocks of the Bedford Avenue safety improvements, injuries have nearly halved.

On the entire stretch of the new protected bike lane, pedestrian injuries have fallen 38% and all injuries have fallen 12%.

NEW YORK — Today, a four-judge Appellate panel denied the motion for an injunction, allowing the Adams administration to proceed with its plan to remove the Bedford Avenue safety improvements and protected bike lane. The judge terminated the temporary restraining order against the City in the lawsuit brought by Transportation Alternatives and Williamsburg father Baruch Herzfeld, represented by Peter Beadle, J.D.

During the case, the opposition filed Exhibit B, DOT’s own report stating that removing the protected bike lane would open the City to liability by making Bedford Avenue less safe. DOT’s presentation states that, “Between DeKalb and Flushing overall injuries are down 47%.” This is far above the average benefit typically seen from such designs (15%), and highlights just how dangerous Bedford Avenue was before the recent redesign. DOT acknowledges that “Removing the protected bike lane (PBL) won’t remove cyclists—it will only make the street less safe.” DOT’s presentation also warns that, should the Adams administration succeed in ripping out the safety improvements, “The City risks legal liability for knowingly reducing safety on a Vision Zero priority corridor.” In response, over 350 bike riders have pledged to sue the City if they’re hit or injured on Bedford Avenue.

Since Eric Adams took office, 83 cyclists have been killed and 1457 seriously injured.

Statement from Alexa Sledge, Communications Director at Transportation Alternatives:

“Just a week after his negligence killed two New Yorkers in Chinatown, Mayor Adams fought in court for his right to kill New Yorkers in Brooklyn, too. 

“Today, an appellate panel ruled that the mayor can move forward with his plans to rip up proven safety improvements on Bedford Avenue. Mayor Adams’ pursuit of this ruling sets a dangerous precedent, establishing that any special interest group that promises the mayor votes or money could reshape our city without regard to safety, data, or the expertise of our most trusted public servants.

“By reverting a safe street to a dangerous one, Mayor Adams is exposing the City of New York, and as a result, all taxpayers, to significant financial and legal liability when New Yorkers are inevitably hit, seriously injured, or killed on Bedford Avenue. The City’s legal liability has been firmly established in court documents filed by his own Department of Transportation. Settling lawsuits isn’t cheap, and New York City taxpayers will be on the hook for the mayor’s blatantly political decision-making.

“The mayor can try to hide behind fear tactics and empty promises — but the facts on the ground are that he’s ripping up a safety project and doing absolutely nothing to protect pedestrians anywhere along Bedford Avenue. We reject the wrongheaded and dangerous idea that safety for pedestrians only comes at the expense of safety for those on bikes, and we demand a truly safe Bedford Avenue for us all.” 

###