Why Did NYC Add Speed Bumps to Silver Lake Park Road?

Drivers in New York City were thrilled when Silver Lake Park Road reopened earlier this year. This road had been closed for a couple of years due to a COVID mandate from Mayor Bill de Blasio. The reopening came after a woman was sexually assaulted in the park, and the city said it was a safety measure. However, many people are still confused about how reopening the road makes the park safer. Silver Lake Park Road is a shortcut between Forest Avenue and Victory Boulevard. It helps drivers avoid the busy intersection of Forest and Victory, which can get crowded during morning and evening rushes, as well as during school dismissal times. So, it seemed like a win for drivers in a city known for being anti-car. But the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) couldn't just leave the road as it was. They had to add some "traffic calming" devices. Recently, the DOT installed not one but two speed bumps on the road. While it's true that some drivers might speed on this road, its twisty-turny layout already makes it hard to drive too fast. It's hard to believe that the road has become so dangerous in such a short time that speed bumps are necessary. The road is mostly used by cars, with only a few people biking or jogging on it. There's also not much reason to cross the road except at the intersections of Forest and Victory, where there are traffic lights. It was predictable that the DOT would add more safety measures. Back in April, a column mentioned that the reopening of the road would push parkgoers back onto the narrow path alongside it, making it potentially unsafe when cyclists are added to the mix. The column also predicted that the DOT would eventually add bike lanes, a speed camera, and speed bumps. So, don't be surprised when a speed camera goes up and a bike lane is installed. It's just another day in the life of the Department of Transportation, which seems to focus more on slowing traffic down than anything else.