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12-year-old sues Adams administration over bike safety rollback in Williamsburg

Rafe Herzfeld and his family are pushing back after the city reversed course on a plan to install a protected lane along Bedford Avenue.

Daniella Rodriguez

Jun 17, 2025, 10:45 PM

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A 12-year-old boy from Williamsburg is taking legal action against City Hall, filing a lawsuit against the Adams administration over its decision to scale back plans for a protected bike lane on a busy Brooklyn street.

Rafe Herzfeld and his family are pushing back after the city reversed course on a plan to install a protected lane along Bedford Avenue.

The current lane is unprotected, and with cars often parked in the path, cyclists are forced into oncoming traffic.

“It’s just protected bike lanes,” he said. “It keeps us away from the cars and keeps us separated.”

Rafe’s father is backing the lawsuit, saying he refuses to let his son navigate dangerous roads without proper infrastructure.

“They have to really reconsider that decision. Thank you, Rafe, for suing the mayor,” he said.

During Tuesday night's segment of News 12’s “Ask the Mayor,” Mayor Eric Adams responded to the growing concern, saying safety remains a top priority.

“We have witnessed a decrease of fatalities in our city to impressive levels,” Adams said.

Still, the Herzfeld family hopes the city rethinks its move before more cyclists are hurt.

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