Williamsburg, NY – Clearly intended to eliminate protestation and disruption, New York City’s Dept. of Transportation furtively darted into the heart of Chasidic Williamsburg last year on Friday night.
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Their purpose then was to change the parking-regulation signs on the neighborhood’s busy Kent Ave. from “No Parking” during certain hours to “No Standing Anytime” due to the fiercely-resented and newly installed bike lane.
With the change implemented in such a underhanded, shady manner, over 100 Chasidic-owned vehicles shortly received summonses for parking illegally, unaware of the street’s new status.
The entire community was in an uproar about the way the DOT handled it and why the entire community, area residents and business owners were not notified.
Numerous demonstrations and hearings followed with city, state and federal elected officials about the bike lane and its funding. At the same time, the DOT claimed that the members of Community Board 1, which represents the Williamsburg community, did in fact vote for the change back in April of 2008—and that residents should direct their complaints to the Board, not the DOT.
However, VIN News has been informed today (and has confirmed) that changes will be made to bring parking back to the residents and business owners of Kent Avenue, beginning August 17, 2009. The reversion to the previous business-friendly configuration is projected to be completed before the coming High Holiday season.
“This should a very good lesson that we all learned, all city agencies and the Mayor’s office, before any changes are recommended in the community you should talk and get the input of all the people and residents in the community not just to a select few” said Isaac Abraham, a City Council candidate for the 33rd District, who was very instrumental in getting parking back to the business and residents of Kent Ave. “all we ask now is that the bikers obey the law just as much as the drivers of vehicles”.
thanks isaac, such a good worker I wish he will be elected he will have us in mind in the city offices
We all thank activist Isaac Abraham for doing a great job, we all know you are a fighter and keep fighting for us… As you always say “if its ant right we will stand up and fight” keep up your good job!!
We all say GO ISAAC GO!!
Does anyone smell elections?
As an outsider that works in Willy and as a not chusid (although an Orthodox Jew) I can tell you that the bike riding population is a scourge on society. Although not every rider is guilty most totally disobey traffic rules and causing accidents.
Common sights include;
1, Weaving in and out of lanes,
2, NOT STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUSSES and causing injuries,
3, Speeding through red lights and hitting pedestrians with the right of way.
4, rarely but sometimes breaking mirrors off cars that annoy them.
5, Despite their running red lights when accidents happen the story changes and suddenly an innocent driver has an accident to explain.
Any attempt to control the bike freaks is immediately considered an affront to society.
Seeing is believing!!!!
If this does turn out to be true, just wait and see how many people will crawl out of their holls they’ve been hiding in when we needed them to help in this sittuation, and pat themselvs in the back taking full credit for the job they never did….
kudos to issac abraham, leibi moskowitz and motty spitzer as well, you really fought hard for it now bear the fruits, thanks a million.
“all we ask now is that the bikers obey the law just as much as the drivers of vehicles”
Hahaha, that is so funny:
* Car drivers do not obey the law.
* bicycles are vehicles too
* Isaac Abraham has contributed nothing to any solution in this BS brouhaha
* he will never, ever, win a City Council seat
How fortunate you are. I agree that the bikes, and this administrations accommodating them at every turn for Mayor Mike’s legacy to be “green” is a nuisance, and extremely illogical for all the other traffic, people…
Please remember those of us that on August 17, 2009 will be visited upon by a dangerous truck detour down N14th st, wythe av , N11th st , and Union av.
It’s one block from McCarren Park. I pray that it will be without consequence, but I fear it will.
I hope this is a prank posting. It would be a travesty for a small number of loud mouths to derail such a valuable improvement to a borough- and city-wide network of bike lanes. Bicycle riders need space on the road, just as cars do, and as pedestrians do on the sidewalk. There are comparatively few businesses on this stretch of Kent – mostly it is apartments, a couple of parks and warehouses (which have loading docks) – not exactly bustling retail. Why can’t the drivers park a little farther away and walk, or ditch the car entirely? Much of the opposition to this project has been from people who live within a few blocks – and thus could walk, rather than drive.
It sickens me that a small number of chasidic leaders have such pull on the south side. I hope the next council member from the 33rd district pays them the scant attention that they deserve.
WOW!! Finely it really comes to an end , after fighting with DOT for the last 7 months, we have to thank our Williamsburg activist for 35 years and city councilman candidate Isaac Abraham for fighting and fighting together with the Haskunim at the Shafer group Leo Moskowitz and Motty Spitzer, now Isaac is running for councilman in 33rd district lets support him a will defiantly proof him self to do his job as best, lets wish him a lots of HATZULUCH!!!
very nice REPLACE. Es kimt zich zei a kish in piskel
Special thanks to the lieders of U J CARE
This is the first steps in the elimination of the car in the city. Next step – banning of cars in certain areas at certain times, etc.etc. leading up to the car on the road being an oddity and evettual elimination – this is the agenda of biking activists. Just look at smoking it stated with just no smoking in elevators
Bloomberg is feeling the heat that the frum are fed-up with him. He hopes that giving back the parking will win him the Willi vote.
It remain to be seen if how cheap Willi will sell out to Bloomberg.
Enjoy your gain at other’s expense. Why you stood up for a design that will put traffic down other peoples streets is selfish. It’s a hollow victory, if you could have done more to get not only what you need, and not expect the same for others is unconscionable. issac abraham, leibi moskowitz and motty spitzer should have held out for more.