Local Cyclists Celebrate New Bike Lanes In Astoria

Cyclists pore over a map showing the new 20th Avenue bike lanes in Astoria before setting out on their morning spin.

Dozens of local bicyclists celebrated new bike lanes on 20th Avenue at a free breakfast for bike commuters on Thursday, November 9. Transportation Alternatives (T.A.), a group that promotes biking, walking and sensible transportation, organized the breakfast at Woodtree Playground in Astoria to thank the city Department of Transportation for recently installing the new bike lanes and to urge locals to consider commuting by bicycle.

"The DOT gets thanks for making 20th Avenue a safer and easier route for bike riding," Noah Budnick, Transportation Alternatives deputy director, said. "As bicyclists use these lanes every day, drivers will become more accustomed to making room and the safer bicycling will become in Queens."

The 20th Avenue bike lanes are among the first of 200 new miles of bicycling lanes, routes and paths which the DOT has committed to installing over the next four years.

Josh Benson, director of the DOT bicycle program, was on hand to speak with bike commuters about what is in store for Queens.

"Together, these lanes and the planned 35th Avenue bicycle lane form a foundation of the Northern Astoria/Steinway bicycle network and provide safe routes for both local and commuter bicyclists," Benson said.

Bicycle commuting across Queens is on the rise, fueled by new bike lanes and direct bike access to Manhattan across the Queensboro and Triborough Bridges.

Representatives of Borough President Helen Marshall, the city Department of Parks and Recreation and civic groups such as the Long Island City Community Boathouse also turned out for free coffee and bagels, donated by nearby shops.

"The new 20th Avenue bike lanes make biking to Ralph DeMarco and Astoria Parks safe and fun," Noah Budnick said. "These new lanes are part of the growing East River-North Shore Greenway, which runs along the waterfront from Astoria to Long Island City."

Emilia Crotty, 25, who works with local Girl Scouts, savored a cup of coffee on her morning bike ride. "It's always good to start the day cycling comfortably on a freshly painted lane and by sharing nice conversation with our bike-minded neighbors in Astoria, Sunnyside and Long Island City," she beamed. "Outer-borough cyclists and future cyclists are grateful!"