Councilmember Hanif works to secure intersection after biker tragically killed

GOWANUS – On Jan. 10 a biker was struck and tragically killed at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street. On Sunday, the incident attracted the attention of Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who represents Park Slope and Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront and parts of Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington.

According to Patch and Local News Today, Sarah Schick, 37, a resident of Carroll Gardens, was struck at approximately 7:20 a.m. while riding a Citi Bike. The driver reportedly stayed at the intersection until authorities could initially investigate what had occurred.

A gofundme campaign for the family of Schick was created after the incident and accumulated over $25,000 the first 24 hours it was online. As of Jan. 30, the campaign has gathered over $93,000.

“We have just heard from neighbors that a cyclist was tragically killed at the intersection of 2nd Ave and 9th St,” wrote Hanif in a tweet on Jan. 10. 

“The intersection is now blocked off, and our office is in touch with the @NYPD78Pct and @NYC_DOT. We will share more details when we have them. Please stay safe.”

Another Twitter user replied to Hanif’s tweet pointing out that pedestrian infrastructure was lacking at the intersection where Schick was killed.

“I work a block from there. It’s a wide open street, no protection for anyone, painted bike lanes west and east of here but not at this intersection,” wrote Stanley Greenberg, @greenbergphoto1, on Jan. 10. “Time to change that.”

A crash in 2018 near Fifth Avenue in Park Slope prompted state legislators to call for a new law and the installation of safety updates, such as protected bike lanes to Ninth Street from Prospect Park to Third Avenue, according to a patch.com article written on March 5, 2018.

Hanif visited the site on Jan. 20 with Department of Transit officials and local politicians to examine and identify issues with the intersection, which is…