One dead bicyclist is too many.
Chelsea residents want the city Department of Transportation to create an east-west bike lane through the heart of the neighborhood after a cyclist was struck and killed by post-office truck in July.
“We have some concerns because of the postal trucks on 10th and 11th avenues,” said Jay Marcus, co-chair of Community Board 4’s transportation committee.
Famed lawyer Alan Dershowitz’s sister-in-law, Marilyn Dershowitz, 68, was killed when she was struck by the truck on West 29th Street at Ninth Avenue.
CB4 approached DOT seeking a new lane, on West 29th Street west of Eighth Avenue, that would give cyclists a clear path to the Hudson River Greenway.
Currently, there are no east-west routes between 21st and 77th streets.
“Chelsea can be a dangerous neighborhood to bike in. The lane would honor her memory,” said graphic designer Siayko Skalsky, 42, who rides daily.
But business owners said the lanes hurt their bottom line.
“Another bike lane for me would be a pain in the neck. It’s safe for the bikers, but for businesses, it’s bad,” said Joshi Padmanabh, 44, a clerk at Friendly Convenience and Grocery at 334 Ninth Ave.
Postal worker Kym Lance, 37, agreed.
“I can’t see a lane going that way,” Lance said. “There are too many trucks. There’s huge trailers by the post office. Where’s the bike lane going to go? God bless that woman, but you can’t fit a bike lane down there.”
DOT officials will meet with CB4 later this month to discuss the issue.