I live in Prospect Heights, how can I show my support for the Vanderbilt Open Street and the Underhill Bike Boulevard?

You can show your support by signing and sharing the petition, following the campaign on twitter and instagram, attending our events, and contacting elected officials directly to voice your support. You can also sign up to volunteer with us or make a donation. 

Why was a Bike Boulevard necessary on Underhill Avenue?

Underhill Avenue is a residential street that is home to a public lower school and a playground for young children. Prior to Open Streets being implemented, Underhill Avenue was a Vision Zero priority street. It’s been the scene of multiple crashes in years prior to the pandemic near the James Forten Playground. Neighbors investigated the option of speed bumps, but the short length of the blocks on Underhill Avenue did not allow for the use of speed bumps, per DOT. It wasn’t until Open Streets that the community found a tool effective in reducing the speed of traffic. DOT’s Bike Boulevard design provides a level of traffic calming similar to the previous Open Street without the use of metal barriers.

What is a Bike Boulevard?

Bike boulevards are streets designed to prioritize the most vulnerable street users—pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone not in a motor vehicle. Bike Boulevards use signs, pavement markings, and speed and volume management measures to discourage through-trips by motor vehicles and create a safer environment for all users. You can find out more here.

What is traffic calming? 

Traffic calming is a term used for strategic physical changes to the street that reduce vehicle speeds, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The Underhill Avenue Bike Boulevard includes curb extensions, traffic diverters and directional changes that work together to calm traffic and increase safety for all road users.

What are curb extensions? 

Curb extensions visually and physically narrow the roadway, creating safer and shorter crossings for pedestrians. They increase visibility of pedestrians. Curb extensions also encourage slower turning speeds. (For more information see: NACTO Urban Street Design Guide, NYC DOT Traffic Calming Guidelines.)

What are those mid-block islands on Underhill Ave? 

Four traffic diverters were installed on Underhill Avenue as part of the Bike Boulevard. They are between Pacific and Dean; Dean and Bergen; Prospect Place and Park Place; and Sterling Place and St. Johns Place. These traffic diverters are meant to reduce vehicle speeds and discourage cut-through traffic. The diverters are designed to accommodate emergency vehicles. They also provide the added benefit of greening and beautifying the streetscape. 

Why not just install speed bumps? 

Underhill Avenue is a residential street that is home to a public lower school and a playground for young children. Prior to Open Streets being implemented, Underhill Avenue was a Vision Zero priority street. It’s been the scene of multiple crashes in years prior to the pandemic near the James Forten Playground. Neighbors investigated the option of speed bumps, but the short length of the blocks on Underhill Avenue did not allow for the use of speed bumps, per DOT. It wasn’t until Open Streets that the community found a tool effective in reducing the speed of traffic. DOT’s Bike Boulevard design provides a level of traffic calming similar to the previous Open Street without the use of metal barriers.

How does the Bike Boulevard help neighbors who are elderly or disabled?  

A bike boulevard isn’t just about cycling. It’s about a street design that takes the safety of all users into account. In fact, data shows that protected bike lanes significantly reduce pedestrian injuries as well. Seniors make up less than 15% of NYC’s population but over 45% of pedestrian fatalities. Studies have shown that road diets, bicycle lanes, pedestrian islands, sidewalk extensions, turn calming and leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) all deliver substantial injury reductions for seniors. More seniors are injured or killed while riding their bike than by being struck by a cyclist. Between 2008 and 2021 (the most recent year data is available) more than 99% of pedestrian fatalities were the result of being struck by motor vehicles while less than 1% of fatalities were the result of being struck  by cyclists.

Does the Underhill Bike Boulevard impede emergency vehicles?

The design of the Bike Boulevard was approved by FDNY. We are not aware of specific complaints by FDNY or NYPD about the design, and the current version is implemented using paint, gravel, plastic posts and movable elements. Adjustments can be made by DOT should City agencies request changes.

Does the Vanderbilt Open Street impede emergency vehicles?

No. The design of the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street was approved by DOT. It includes a bike lane that doubles as a lane for emergency vehicles. The bike lane signage is designed such that it can be driven over by emergency vehicles. We have not received any requests for changes to the street design from FDNY or NYPD.

Who pays for Open Streets in Prospect Heights?

About 70% of Prospect Heights Open Streets funding comes from partnerships with local businesses and individual donations. The remainder comes from fees paid by the City of New York. The vast majority of the planning, organizing and managing of the Open Streets program is done by unpaid community volunteers who donate many hours of their time.

What are the economic benefits of the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street?

A 2022 DOT study found that businesses on the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street experienced an increase in sales of 20% compared to the period prior to Open Streets. The program includes 20 participating restaurants, most of which are minority- and woman-owned. Additional revenue earned from serving customers in the roadbed also creates additional jobs, as restaurants employ more staff to serve customers seated outdoors. And a recent independent video report suggests the Open Street on Vanderbilt Avenue may even have a spillover effect, increasing sales on Washington Avenue.

How has DOT consulted the community on the plans?

DOT has invested a lot of time and effort in reaching out to the wider local community to better understand how Open Streets in Prospect Heights are used, and how the community wants to see these corridors used in the future. This has included:

• On-street workshops in September 2021, November 2021, May 2022, May 2023
• Presentations to the Community Board 8 Environment, Sanitation and Transportation Committee in September 2021, June 2022, September 2022, May 2023
• Community feedback survey in 2021 (1,468 respondents)

In addition, PHNDC conducted town hall meetings on the Open Streets program in the spring of 2021, 2022 and 2023. DOT representatives participated in each of these town halls. These meetings were announced to the neighborhood through postcards sent to each address in Prospect Heights.

Where can I read more about the DOT’s plans?

On the DOT projects website, in particular the presentation to Community Board 8 in May 2023.