According to city transportation officials, construction will begin this month on a $16.25 million restoration and safety project that will redesign sections of Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue bordering Prospect Park. The project is funded by the New York City Mayor’s Office, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and City Council District 40.
For the more than 400 cyclists who ride along this stretch every day, the project represents a significant step toward safer streets in an area long recognized as hazardous for riders.
A Safer Route for Cyclists Around Prospect Park
The centerpiece of the project is a new two-way protected bike lane along Ocean Avenue, designed to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic.
Key safety features include:
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An elevated bike lane built at sidewalk level
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Granite cobblestones physically separating cyclists from traffic
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A landscaped buffer zone with new trees
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Restored historic lighting
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Stormwater improvements and upgraded signals
Unlike many street redesigns that reduce vehicle lanes, the project will maintain two traffic lanes in each direction, although the lanes will be slightly narrowed to calm traffic speeds while still meeting emergency and transit vehicle requirements.
Construction will occur in approximately 800-foot segments, each lasting about two months. Work will begin near Flatbush Avenue and Ocean Avenue and proceed along the park’s perimeter.
Parkside Avenue: One of Brooklyn’s Most Dangerous Corridors for Cyclists
The protected bike lane proposal dates back to 2021, when transportation planners identified Parkside Avenue as one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors for cyclists.
Parkside Avenue borders the southern edge of Prospect Park and carries heavy vehicle traffic, including commuters cutting between Flatbush Avenue and Ocean Avenue. Cyclists traveling to and from the park have long had to share the roadway with fast-moving vehicles.
From the perspective of our New York City bicycle accident lawyers, corridors like this often become the site of serious crashes because of:
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Limited separation between bikes and vehicles
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High traffic volumes
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Drivers making high-speed turns around park entrances
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Poor visibility at intersections
Protected infrastructure can significantly reduce these risks by clearly separating cyclists from motor vehicles.
Improvements for Both Cyclists and Pedestrians
In addition to the bike lane, the project includes several pedestrian and public-space upgrades.
The final phase will create a new pedestrian plaza at Ocean and Parkside avenues featuring a monument honoring Shirley Chisholm, the pioneering Brooklyn congresswoman and presidential candidate.
While some trees along the corridor will be removed, transportation officials say most are either unhealthy or conflict with infrastructure upgrades. Nearly half will be transplanted within Prospect Park, and the project will introduce 152 new trees, including a sidewalk allee along the park’s edge.
Why Protected Bike Infrastructure Matters
Protected bike lanes have been shown to dramatically reduce serious crashes involving cyclists. By physically separating riders from vehicle traffic, these designs address one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents in New York City: drivers encroaching into bike space or passing too closely.
Despite recent improvements across the city, cyclists in Brooklyn continue to face significant risks, particularly along park perimeters, major corridors, and intersections where vehicles turn across bike lanes.
When a cyclist is injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver, unsafe roadway conditions, or a poorly designed street layout, victims may have legal options. Speaking with an experienced New York bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible is critical to preserving evidence and protecting the right to compensation.
Continuing Efforts to Make Brooklyn Streets Safer
The Prospect Park project builds on earlier improvements around the park, including the 2020 restoration of the Flatbush Avenue perimeter, which created the park’s first new entrances in more than 80 years.
As Brooklyn continues to see increased cycling for commuting, recreation, and deliveries, investments in protected infrastructure will remain essential to reducing crashes and making city streets safer for everyone.
For cyclists, pedestrians, and families who rely on Prospect Park as a daily destination, the new protected bike lane represents a long-overdue step toward safer streets around one of Brooklyn’s most beloved public spaces.