Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

New PPW Results: More New Yorkers Use It, Without Clogging the Street

New DOT data shows that the Prospect Park West redesign doesn't only improve safety, it enables more people to use the street to get to work. Image: NYC DOT.
New DOT data shows that the Prospect Park West redesign doesn't only improve safety, it enables more people to use the street to get to work. Image: NYC DOT.

On the heels of Brad Lander's survey showing that a whopping 78 percent of interested Brooklyn residents want to keep the traffic calming Prospect Park West bike lane, DOT has released still more data [PDF] showing that the new street design keeps New Yorkers safer and helps them get where they're going.

With two more months of data collection since DOT last released its Prospect Park West numbers, the fundamental facts about the redesign remain. As DOT found in October, while three-quarters of cars were measured speeding before the redesign, now only one in six drive over the speed limit. The number of cyclists roughly tripled on weekdays, and doubled on weekends. There are some slight variations in the December numbers -- the more recent data show slightly higher speeds in the morning and slower speeds in the evening, for example -- but these effects are looking like they're here to stay.

The December numbers add new evidence that, contrary to opponents' claims, the narrower Prospect Park West has not caused congestion. Looking at travel times, DOT shows that even though speeding is down, a trip down Prospect Park West actually takes a few seconds under the new design. Travel times are slightly down on Eighth and Sixth Avenues as well, though a bit up on Seventh. Even during rush hour, the effects on vehicle speeds are negligible, with morning peak car trips taking a few seconds longer and evening peak trips taking a few seconds shorter.

Finally, DOT has now released a count of the total number of commuters using Prospect Park West. By turning one vehicular lane into a two-way bike lane, they were able to increase the number of people using the street. The combined count of motor vehicles and bikes increased by 11 percent in the morning and six percent in the afternoon. It's a perfect illustration of a concept that's central to PlaNYC: We're going to need to prioritize sustainable transportation for one million more New Yorkers to fit on our crowded streets without making traffic even worse.

The Prospect Park West redesign actually sped up trips on the street, as well as on some parallel roads. Image: NYC DOT.
The Prospect Park West redesign actually sped up trips on the street, as well as on some parallel roads. Image: NYC DOT.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Safety First on Third: DOT Numbers Show a Roadway Safer for All Users

Say it again: Bike lanes make roadways safer for all users.

February 19, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Mayor in a Whirlwind Edition

Mayor Adams will learn more about his fate today. Plus other news.

February 19, 2025

Another View: It’s Time for Residential Parking Permits

So people in the livable streets movement think residential parking permits might actually work. Read on...

February 19, 2025

Analysis: Residential Parking Permits Would Be Bad for City Streets

Congestion pricing isn't driving more people to park Uptown — and even if it did, "hunting licenses" for parking spots wouldn't help.

February 18, 2025

Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing

Even after the city greatly reduced parking mandates in the City of Yes initiative, parking is still at the center of many debates about new housing.

February 18, 2025
See all posts