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Changing Lanes

Play trailer Poster for Changing Lanes Apr 2026 1h 14m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 6 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
When a beloved teacher is tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a grassroots movement emerges to transform a notoriously dangerous four-lane boulevard into a safer, two-lane street with protected bike lanes. While many applaud the proposed change, it also sparks a backlash -- led in part by a powerful local business owner. As government support begins to waver, neighbors unite to challenge entrenched interests and fight for a safer Greenpoint. Changing Lanes situates this local struggle within broader historical, environmental, political, and social contexts through interviews with politicians, activists, urban planners, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons including musician David Byrne and legendary urban planner Janette Sadik-Khan -- a compelling call to action for democracy at street level.

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Changing Lanes

Critics Reviews

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Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl 3h
8/10
Changing Lanes packs a lot of information into its 74-minute runtime, but the pace always feels natural and interest never flags... Go to Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews May 31
B+
If you mostly commute by car and have ever been annoyed by the introduction of bike lanes, this film could very well change your mind... Go to Full Review Matt Campbell MovieJawn May 31
By using one particular case, on one particular road, in one of the world’s largest cities, Wolf isn’t just telling a story about that street but about every city in North America. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht May 8
I love documentaries about urbanist policy battles, especially YIMBY vs. NIMBY stuff. If people in public meetings are yelling, all the better. And director Ben Wolf’s Changing Lanes has all of that and way more Go to Full Review Lael Loewenstein FilmWeek (LAist) May 7
This film, I will say, changed my perspective of road diets. Go to Full Review Tony Medley tonymedley.com Apr 15
7/10
This is a good movie to watch because it shows how zealots can take charge of politics and make life miserable for ordinary people who just want to get where they are going, even though that is certainly not the filmmakers' intent. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Apr 17 Real footage in 1 hour and 14 minutes. See more Read all reviews
Changing Lanes

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Cast & Crew

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Ben Wolf

Director

David Byrne

Self

Janette Sadik-Khan

Self

Ben Wolf

Producer

Ben Wolf

Cinematographer

Kristin Bye

Film Editing
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Changing Lanes

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a beloved teacher is tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a grassroots movement emerges to transform a notoriously dangerous four-lane boulevard into a safer, two-lane street with protected bike lanes. While many applaud the proposed change, it also sparks a backlash -- led in part by a powerful local business owner. As government support begins to waver, neighbors unite to challenge entrenched interests and fight for a safer Greenpoint. Changing Lanes situates this local struggle within broader historical, environmental, political, and social contexts through interviews with politicians, activists, urban planners, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons including musician David Byrne and legendary urban planner Janette Sadik-Khan -- a compelling call to action for democracy at street level.
Director
Ben Wolf
Producer
Ben Wolf
Distributor
First Run Features
Production Co
Topiary Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 16, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 14m