200 People Join with Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso, CM Shahana Hanif, NYC DOT, Transportation Alternatives, Community Leaders to Highlight Needs of Families Who Bike in Brooklyn
Panel follows call from Council Members to lift e-bike ban in Prospect Park.
Fewer than 40 of New York City’s 1,800 schools have a car-free Open Street.
BROOKLYN, NY — Nearly 200 people today joined at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library for Transportation Alternative’s Families Bike Brooklyn panel with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Shahana Hanif, DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, community leaders, and advocates.
The panel highlighted the needs of people and families who bike with children, including:
Advocating for a fully-protected bike lane network in Brooklyn. The City of New York is required to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes annually by the NYC Streets Plan. The panel highlighted current campaigns to build safe streets in the borough.
Calling on Prospect Park to repeal its ban on e-bikes. Council Members Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph earlier called on NYC Parks and the Prospect Park Alliance to end its ban on e-bikes — which are legal to ride in New York City — in the park.
Bringing car-free Open Streets to schools. Today, TA and safe streets advocacy group Open Plans launched a free toolkit to demystify the process of bringing car-free spaces to schools. Currently, fewer than 40 of the city’s 1,800 schools have an Open Street.
“As a father of three kids, I love spending time with my kids on the bike and exposing them to our wonderful city. As the City invites even more families and kids to bike, it has a duty to keep us all safe. ” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “We look forward to working with our partners in government to build on the momentum from this event to build safe, protected, and connected bike infrastructure, allowing more kids and families to explore this city by bike.”
The panel, moderated by Together Projects principal Ryan Russo, featured Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYC DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, East Bk Bike Club ride leader Shéba Michel, and PS 372 special education teacher Emily Stutts.
“We learn how to navigate this city from our families, and the habits we build when we’re young, we carry with us our entire lives. Encouraging biking among our own families, teaching bike safety, and sharing in the joy of cruising through Brooklyn’s bike lanes are one of the most powerful ways we can spread better transportation methods all across our borough,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m so grateful to Transportation Alternatives for bringing together Council Member Shahana Hanif, NYC DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, and fellow biking advocates to share our vision for a bike-friendly city and the steps we need to take together to get there.”
“With the changing regulatory landscape around e-bikes and pedal assist, Transportation Alternatives’ event is well timed to help empower families in Brooklyn,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the transit issues facing Brooklyn families and how we can work together to solve them. Through collaboration and spirited discussion, I know together we can envision a Brooklyn where street safety is more than a slogan but a policy promise.”
“Whether I’m biking or walking to swimming, soccer practice, or summer camp with my family, safe streets are deeply personal to me,” said Ryan Lynch, Chief of Staff for NYC DOT. “And when we create streets that are safe for our children they are safe for all. Thanks to a $900 million commitment from Mayor Adams, DOT is reclaiming street space for cyclists and pedestrians with redesigns that improve safety for our most vulnerable road users. With exciting bike boulevard projects in the works for Brooklyn, and our ongoing outreach for a Grand Army Plaza redesign, we look forward to continued collaboration with advocates on how we can continue to improve cycling access for families.”
"We’re delighted to welcome Transportation Alternatives to Brooklyn Public Library to champion safer streets for families,” said David Woloch, Brooklyn Public Library’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs. “Biking is an excellent way to travel, discover Brooklyn and get to your local library branch, and we look forward to more and more local families experiencing the joy of biking the borough."
“Cycling for transportation with my kids has been such a practical benefit for our family and a wonderful source of joy and connection,” said Ryan Russo, Principal, Together Projects. “I’m so excited to be a part of an event and a movement that hopes to make those benefits available to families all over Brooklyn and beyond. Now is the time to figure this out!”
“Biking with kids as a family and educator has afforded me the privilege of seeing so many kids light up with glee as they ride,” said Emily Stutts, a Special Education Teacher at PS 372. “Every Brooklyn kid deserves the freedom that bikes have to offer. I am glad we have this much needed opportunity to discuss family biking that’s more accessible and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing real safety improvements throughout the borough.”
“All New Yorkers should have access to safe, high-quality bike infrastructure — no matter where they live,” said Shéba Michel, Ride Leader for East Brooklyn Bike Club. “Tonight’s panel shows the need in Brooklyn for a network of protected bike lanes. Our city’s leaders must meet this demand by prioritizing investment equitably to ensure everyone, including families and children, can move around our city safely.”
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