Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bike Lanes

Eyes on the Street: New Bike Path, Same Old Illegal Parking

NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan's unit, overseeing illegally-parked minivans putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. Photo: Robert Wright
NYPD Traffic officers had a great view of illegally-parked minivans last night in South Williamsburg. Photo: Robert Wright/Flickr
NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan's unit, overseeing illegally-parked minivans putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. Photo: Robert Wright

Well, that didn't take long.

The paint is barely dry on the new two-way bike path on Kent Avenue in South Williamsburg, and drivers are using it as car storage for minivans. Again.

Robert Wright snapped a photo of cars blocking the bike lanes and sidewalk in full view of NYPD Traffic officers. "What's the point of putting in a new bike lane if the police are essentially going to supervise its obstruction?" Wright asked in an email.

The bikeway should eventually include flexible posts, supposedly to keep cars out, before implementation wraps up. But without a more substantial barrier -- and the revocation of consent from New York's Finest -- illegal and dangerous parking in the path of cyclists and pedestrians will probably continue.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Queens Judge Orders City to Rip Up Half-Installed Astoria Bike Lane

The unprecedented ruling flies in the face of reams of data demonstrating the safety benefits of protected bike lanes.

December 5, 2025

Unions and Environmental Groups Push Council To Pass Delivery Protection Act

Intro 1396 would force Amazon and other delivery companies that use last-mile warehouses to ditch the sub-contracting model and directly hire their workers.

December 5, 2025

Watchdog Group Wants Hochul to Veto Bus Lane Parking Mulligan

Reinvent Albany thinks a carve-out for bus lane parkers in Co-op gives rule-breaking motorists a free pass.

December 5, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Visionary NYC Edition

New York City stands out among U.S. cities with "Vision Zero" programs. Plus more news.

December 5, 2025

DMV SCANDAL: New York Faces Uphill Battle Getting Back Fraudulently Obtained Licenses

A longtime NYC driving teacher dishes on a pair of shocking scandals at the New York State DMV.

December 4, 2025

State DOT Hurts Cyclists in Rt. 9 Draft Plan: Advocates

The plan to redesign the spine of the river towns misses opportunities to equalize road access and safety for all travelers, according to advocates

December 4, 2025
See all posts