ugh, another sinkhole

*askMO submissions are italicized and published as received. 

hey  MO: thank you for creating this resource. I ride this street a lot and there is a patch of asphalt in the bike lane that sinks. I reported several times to 311 but the repairs are quick and short lived. It seems like the root of problem isn’t being addressed. What more can I do?

hey you: sinkholes on our city streets are, unfortunately, becoming more common. Several factors contribute to this, including aging underground infrastructure, extreme weather, and the constant pressure from heavy vehicles. When these hazards appear in bicycle lanes, the danger is especially serious—people riding often have little time to react, and pooling water or road depressions can easily lead to crashes and serious injuries.

Thank you for reporting the sinkhole to 311. If you live on the block or nearby, encourage your neighbors and business owners to report it too—multiple reports can help move the issue up the city’s priority list. It’s also a good idea to notify your local Community Board. They can sometimes push city agencies to act faster. You can additionally contact the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is typically responsible for underground repairs. 

If you’re connected to bike clubs, cycling groups, or neighborhood safety advocates, encourage them to call in the sinkhole as well. A collective response can help get bike lane hazards fixed more quickly and protect everyone on the road.

It takes a village. Thank you for your submission!