Dozens of East Harlem Business Owners Resist Protected Bike Lanes

Dozens of East Harlem Business Owners Resist Protected Bike Lanes

November 10, 2011 7:04am | By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

 

click to see all pictures (4 photos)

Some East Harlem business owners said they were against the plan to put protected bike lanes, like this one on Columbus Avenue, along First and Second avenues from East 96th to East 125th streets. (DNAinfo)

HARLEM — More than 60 East Harlem business owners are opposed to plans to bring protected bike lanes to the area in the spring of 2012.

Frank Brija, owner of Patsy's Pizzeria and a member of Community Board 11, said he surveyed business owners along First Avenue from East 106 to East 125th streets.

Of them, 61 signed a petition saying they hadn't been contacted by the Department of Transportation about the pending bike lanes and they didn't support the idea.

Owners cited increased traffic, blocked delivery zones, reduced parking and what they believe will be higher asthma rates as reasons for opposing the lanes. They also said East Harlem does not have enough bicycle riders to justify the change.

"All we do is complain about traffic, all we do is complain about asthma," said Brija. "Now the DOT is going to create more traffic."

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20111110/harlem/dozens-of-east-harlem-business-owners-resist-protected-bike-lanes?utm_content=chiefcharley472%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Dozens%20of%20East%20Harlem%20Business%20Owners%20Resist%20Protected%20Bike%20Lanes&utm_campaign=Cops%20Still%20Get%20Asked%20to%20Fix%20Tickets%20Despite%20Arrestscontent#ixzz1dLkGELSt