[This is a singe riders experience without supportive data.]
This morning I biked to the lovely Red Hook Swimming Pool for early bird lap swim. This ride is sixteen minutes from our block. Below are my two routes (left – to the pool; right – back to our block).
I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the most comfortable city biker. 95% of my rides involve getting to Prospect Park and doing loops. This morning I learned, first-hand, how unnerving bicycling on Dean Street is. To me, the most anxiety-riddled part of the ride is crossing Hamilton Avenue (under the BQE). Next though is riding Dean Street between 6th and Vanderbilt. On my way home, I encountered:
- FDNY pulling out and going the wrong way on Dean to get to 6th Avenue
- 3 different double-parked vehicles in front of 535 Dean, syncopated with double parked automobiles (presumably) associated with Temple of Restoration creating a slalom-like experience
- 2 construction works unloading materials on Dean Street for 535 Carlton Avenue
- 4 illegally parked USPS vehicles narrowing the street and frustrating the driver behind me as we form a bike-to-car caravan
DOT: let’s not be regressive and await accidents (like these on Vanderbilt Avenue and the original MPT reducing sight lines). Let’s also not discuss the inability for the DOT to enforce. The DOT has high-quality planners that have expertise on improving these situations. Please assist.
