As Citi Bike expands in Brooklyn, more coveted parking spots could be disappearing in exchange for the docking stations, and residents are in conflict over their value.
For many in the neighborhoods that make up Community Board 6 -- like Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Gowanus -- biking is a way of life. To drivers, it's becoming a way to eliminate valuable parking spots.
"They're terrible for parking," a Park Slope resident named Ron said.
Community Board 6 heard varied opinions from residents Thursday night in a meeting about the plan to set up Citi Bike stations.
"It feels like it was a deliberate slap in the face if you own a car," said Robert Kravoski, who's unhappy with the surge of new docking stations over the summer.
"I view it as a measure that stops the discrimination against bicycles and gives us some space on the street," a cyclist named David countered.
But even people who love and use Citi Bike admit there are a lot of docking stations. For example, there's on 10th Street and 7th Avenue -- and then another one on 9th Street and Sixth Avenue just a few blocks away.
"That is a little out of hand," said Alex Frank, who added, "Smaller bike stations would be a little easier for the neighborhood to absorb."
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The city's Department of Transportation was invited to attend, but the DOT will pass.
A DOT spokesman said the department appreciates the invite but feels the best way to handle it is to take a list of top trouble spots and suggested alternatives, and work from there.
The spokesman calls Citi Bike "enormously popular" and believes it will only grow in the targeted expansion areas around Brooklyn.
