New Bus and Bike Lanes Transforming Brooklyn’s DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues

About 18,000 Brooklyn bus riders can soon expect faster service as the city breaks ground on a redesign of DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues. The project, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn, aims to speed up service for daily riders of the B38 bus, adding 2.7 miles of new offset and curbside bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and other street safety improvements.

The B38 runs through neighborhoods including Bed-Stuy, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene, where reliable and affordable public transportation is vital. Currently, both avenues feature curbside parking lanes, two motor vehicle lanes, an unprotected bike lane, and a second curbside parking lane. This layout often causes bus speeds to drop to as low as four miles per hour during rush hours, and both avenues are notorious for their street safety issues, with 841 people injured since 2021, including 47 who suffered severe injuries.

The project will add a mix of curbside bus lanes operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a 24-hour offset bus lane, and parking-protected and barrier-protected bike lanes along nearly six miles of streets. Cyclists will benefit from a fully protected route connecting to the protected bike lane on Ashland Place, leading to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the greenway along Flushing and Kent Avenues, and the protected bike lane on Fourth Avenue.

For expats and digital nomads based in or visiting New York, this means improved public transportation and enhanced safety for cyclists. If you rely on the B38 bus or frequent these areas, expect faster service and a safer commute. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this project, as it will significantly impact daily life in these neighborhoods.