A New York State decide has issued a brief restraining order blocking the Adams administration’s plans to take away a protected bike lane from Bedford Ave. in Brooklyn.
Choose Carolyn Walker-Diallo issued the order in Brooklyn Supreme Courtroom Wednesday, declaring the town “enjoined and restrained” from ripping up the bike lane forward of a listening to deliberate for Aug. 6.
A Williamsburg man, Baruch Herzfeld and his minor son joined biking advocacy group Transportation Alternate options earlier this week in submitting swimsuit towards town after Mayor Adams took to twitter final Friday to announce his plan to scrap the protected bike lane, which separates bicycle visitors from the remainder of the road with a line of parked automobiles.
Mayor Eric Adams. (Barry Williams/ New York Every day Information)
Citing opposition from some Williamsburg group leaders who say fast-paced bikes and e-bikes within the protected lane pose a hazard to folks crossing mid-block, Adams stated his administration would “restore the original configuration of the Bedford bike lane” from Willoughby St. to Flushing Ave.
Previous to the protected lane opening in October 2024, bicycle visitors on Bedford Ave. — a significant North-South thoroughfare via central and northern Brooklyn — traveled in a painted lane alongside automotive and truck visitors. Frequent deliveries alongside the avenue meant vehicles and different autos had been often obstructing the bike lane, forcing riders into visitors.
“[D]espite data showing both that the old [bike lane] design was not safe or effective and safety of all road users has improved since the upgraded design was installed, the city improperly, irrationally, without proper legal notice and in an abuse of discretion announced on Friday June 13, 2025 that it would remove the upgraded bicycle lane immediately,” the swimsuit reads.
An individual rides a motorcycle in a protected lane in Brooklyn on this undated photograph. (Shutterstock)
Peter Beadle, an legal professional representing Herzfeld and his son, stated in a press release he was happy Choose Walker-Diallo “appears to understand the seriousness of this matter.”
“We’re ecstatic that a judge is currently blocking the city from ripping up street safety improvements,” TA head Ben Furnas stated in a press release.
“We won’t let anyone make our streets more dangerous,” he added. “Mayor Adams, we’ll see you in court.”
A metropolis Division of Transportation spokesman referred all inquiries to Metropolis Corridor Wednesday.
An Adams spokeswoman stated the redesign was mandatory for the protection of the road, including that the administration was assured it might prevail in courtroom.
“After several dangerous incidents — many of which involved children getting seriously hurt — the Adams administration listened to the community’s concerns and decided to reconfigure the bike lane to its original model while still maintaining safety measures,” Sophia Askari stated in a press release. “It’s unfortunate that elected leaders are intentionally disregarding the needs and safety of the very community who elected them to be their representative. We will address this matter in court where we are confident we will prevail.”
