A major Brooklyn cycling corridor is set for a redesign after Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced new safety upgrades aimed at making it easier and safer for children to bike to school along key streets in central Brooklyn.
The plan focuses on the Bergen and Dean Street corridors, a 10-mile route stretching from Court Street to East New York Avenue. The announcement, made alongside the New York City Department of Transportation, was first detailed in a press release published via NYC Newswire.
Officials say the project is part of a broader push to expand protected bike infrastructure and redesign streets around safety, especially for younger riders and families.
The Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan centers on transforming Bergen and Dean Streets into safer cycling routes through a “bike boulevard” design.
The proposal prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians while still allowing limited local vehicle access. City officials say the goal is to reduce traffic speed, improve visibility, and create a safer daily route for students traveling to school.
“Bike boulevards give families the peace of mind they need to start the day right: by enjoying a safe, easy ride to school,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “From protected bike lanes to safer crossings, these redesigns make our streets work for people and encourage our youngest neighbors to grow into lifelong riders.”
The Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan will be rolled out in phases, with a formal design proposal expected later this year and early construction targeted for 2027.
City transportation officials say the Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan builds on years of investments in protected bike lanes and traffic-calming infrastructure across New York City.
The redesign includes potential improvements such as curb extensions, median installations, sidewalk upgrades, and traffic-calming features designed to slow vehicle speeds.
“Streets that are the envy of the world are safe for people of all ages and abilities,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Biking is a healthy and fun way for children to get exercise, and with the right street design, more students can feel safe and empowered to bike to school.”
According to the department, protected bike lanes have been linked to an 18.1 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries for all road users, and a 29.2 percent reduction for pedestrians.
The Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan has been shaped in part by the Bergen Bike Bus, a weekly community-led group of families who bike together to school.
The group has long advocated for safer infrastructure along the corridor, arguing that children should be able to travel independently without requiring large organized escorts for safety.
“Biking to school is an active and fun way to start the day,” said the Bergen Bike Bus. “Biking to school can be safe not just on a bike bus, but every day.”
Community advocates and transportation organizations also welcomed the proposal, calling it a major step toward safer, low-stress cycling routes in Brooklyn neighborhoods with high bike ridership.
Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan Tied to Broader City Projects
Officials say the Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan is being coordinated with several major planning initiatives, including the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan, the Flatbush Avenue busway, and broader MTA bus network redesign efforts.
The project is also part of the administration’s broader National Bike Month initiatives, which include expanded feedback tools for secure bike parking and updated citywide bike mapping.
Supporters say the coordinated approach reflects a shift toward more integrated street planning, where bike infrastructure is considered alongside transit, housing, and neighborhood development.
The Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan will now move into a public engagement phase, with NYC DOT launching an online feedback portal and preparing design proposals later this year.
The first phase of construction is expected in 2027, depending on final design approvals and community input.
Officials emphasize that the project will continue to evolve through public consultation, with residents encouraged to participate in shaping final street designs.
Additional details were first outlined in a press release published via NYCNewswire.
What is the Brooklyn Bike Safety Plan?
It is a city initiative to redesign Bergen and Dean Streets in Brooklyn with safer bike and pedestrian infrastructure, including a bike boulevard concept.
Who will benefit from the project?
Students, families, cyclists, pedestrians, and local residents along the Bergen and Dean corridors are expected to benefit from improved safety and mobility.
When will construction begin?
The first phase of installation is currently targeted for 2027, following public input and final design approval.
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