Williamsburg Residents Demand Safer Grand Street

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — Williamsburg is mobilizing to get Grand Street a safety upgrade after two tragic, high-profile pedestrian and cyclist deaths occurred on the street in just the past seven months. A petition started by Transportation Alternatives, a local organization that advocates for pedestrian and cyclist safety, calls for local politicians to pay attention to the need for urgent and major alterations to Grand Street.

"By prioritizing bus, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic on the street we can move twice as many people as currently use the corridor, create a safer streetscape, and bring much needed foot traffic to local businesses," the petition says.

Transportation Alternatives said the L train shutdown will make Grand Street even more populated with cars, cyclists and pedestrians, and the closure is all the more reason to upgrade Grand Street with more urgency.

Cyclist Matthew Von Ohlen was killed in a hit and run last summer at 690 Grand St., between Manhattan and Graham avenues. Ohlen had been riding in a designated bike lane when he was struck, surveillance video showed. In January, 85-year-old Rafael Neives was hit by a box truck and killed in front of Key Food supermarket while he was crossing Grand Street to get to his house.

In its first four days, the petition has garnered 1,234 of the 5,000 signatures it needs to fulfill its goal.

Photo via Google Maps