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

Eyes on the Street: Pedestrian Life Rafts in the Flatbush/Atlantic Asphalt Ocean

A newly-installed median on Flatbush Avenue between Atlantic Terminal and the Barclays Center. Photo: David Meyer

There's a little more protection for pedestrians crossing the street around Atlantic Terminal and the Barclays Center.

Atop the borough's largest transit hub, the many-legged intersection of Flatbush, Atlantic, and Fourth avenues is the crossroads of Brooklyn, but it's extremely hazardous, especially if you're walking or biking. The streets are designed to keep traffic flowing to and from the free East River bridges, and they meet at irregular angles, forcing pedestrians to traverse long, angled crosswalks. There are no bike lanes on any of these major streets.

Now, at least, there are four new pedestrian islands at Atlantic and Flatbush.

Flatbush and Atlantic, pictured last summer. Photo: Google Maps
Flatbush and Atlantic last summer. Photo: Google Maps
Flatbush and Atlantic, pictured last summer. Photo: Google Maps

The concrete islands are certainly an improvement over what existed before -- i.e. nothing. They break up the crossing for pedestrians and give drivers some physical objects to avoid. But without more substantial overhauls of Flatbush and Atlantic that reduce the number of car lanes, these fixes can only go so far [PDF].

In 2016, DOT and Barclays Center developer Forest City Ratner presented plans for public space improvements at Times Plaza, which sits at the convergence of the three avenues. Local residents and elected officials pushed the city to make concrete pedestrian safety improvements to the area before inviting more people to hang out at the plaza.

Except for a sidewalk extension on Fourth Avenue, the improvements labeled in blue here have all gone in. Image: DOT
Except for a sidewalk extension on Fourth Avenue, the improvements labeled in blue here have all gone in. Image: DOT
Except for a sidewalk extension on Fourth Avenue, the improvements labeled in blue here have all gone in. Image: DOT
Atlantic Avenue at Fort Greene Place. Photo: David Meyer
Atlantic Avenue at Fort Greene Place. Photo: David Meyer
Atlantic Avenue at Fort Greene Place. Photo: David Meyer
The intersection previously had no median and hard concrete barriers separate each direction of traffic. Photo: Google Maps
The intersection previously had no median, just concrete barriers separating each side of Atlantic. Photo: Google Maps
The intersection previously had no median and hard concrete barriers separate each direction of traffic. Photo: Google Maps

The one leg of the intersection that will be getting an extra multi-modal safety boost is Fourth Avenue. DOT's upcoming redesign of Fourth Avenue will include a curbside protected bike lane on at least one side of the street south of Atlantic.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

NJ’s Plan to Widen the Turnpike Can Really Break Your Heart

"I've lived in a lot of places and all of them have had neighborhoods destroyed by turnpike expansion. New Jersey is no exception," said one activist.

June 2, 2025

Car Harms Monday: ‘Gridlock Sam’ Says We Have Lost Our Lives to the Automobile

Take it from the former head of the city's Department of Traffic: If we restore valuable public space to the people, the result will be a healthier, happier, and more humane city.

June 2, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Critical Mass of Rage Against the NYPD Edition

Scores of New Yorkers rode on Friday to protest the Police Department's criminal crackdown on cyclists. Plus other news.

Talking Headways Podcast: Bike Guides to Build Your City

Let's talk bike lane design guides, the importance of history, political will, and the stress of being an expert witness in court.

June 2, 2025

Cyclist: Cop Pulled a Taser During Summons Chase

In a dramatic escalation of the NYPD's criminal crackdown on bike riders, a police officer pulled a stun gun while chasing a cyclist for allegedly running a red light on a regular bike.

May 30, 2025

Albany Pols Seize the Helm(et)

Helmet laws remain controversial — they're the "common-sense" approach pushed by lawmakers who ignore that studies show they don't improve safety.

May 30, 2025
See all posts