The New York City Department of Transportation has transformed part of Berry Street in Williamsburg into a bike and pedestrian-friendly corridor, reports the Brooklyn Paper.
The stretch between Broadway and North 12th Street now has a two-way protected bike lane and one-way vehicle traffic. This allows cyclists to traverse the neighborhood without dealing with fast-moving cars. The city also revamped intersections and added loading zones to discourage non-local drivers while enabling deliveries. Emergency vehicles can still access the entire street.
“Berry Street’s innovative new design as a Bike Boulevard will help protect pedestrians and cyclists, reduce speeding, and provide dedicated loading zones,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.
The changes build on a pandemic-era Open Streets initiative, which temporarily opened Berry Street to pedestrians and cyclists. A DOT survey found that 85% of locals used the street while walking, and 77% visited multiple times per week, while just 28% drove there. Most people surveyed said they wanted a public space for walking, biking and socializing, according to the survey.
Every intersection now has pedestrian curb extensions, bike corrals and granite blocks for better visibility and safer crossings. By transforming Berry Street to focus on pedestrians and cyclists based on local feedback, the DOT aims to boost neighborhood connectivity and accessibility.
“The people of Brooklyn deserve safe spaces when walking or biking on our city streets,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. “I thank the city for prioritizing these investments in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and I look forward to working with NYC DOT to make streets safer throughout Brooklyn.” The goal is to encourage cycling and experiencing the area differently. DOT data shows bike lanes boost ridership numbers exponentially.
