Author Topic: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights (Read 17549 times)

specanha · « **on:** June 29, 2015, 12:13:40 AM »

Would anyone be interested in joining forces in a campaign to build more bike lanes in Northern Queens? If you are, please send me a direct message and let's connect.

I had the idea when I saw Travers Park overcrowded a few weeks ago. Since the park is likely to go under renovation in the next few years, JH will be left park-less. But if we had bike paths connecting our neighborhood to parks in Northern Queens, it could be a huge improvement for the neighborhood.

This map is a rough sketch, just to get the conversation started:

Feel free to make suggestions – this is why I'm posting the map.

The general idea is to have every playground and little park in Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Corona interconnected. I think it's important to have as many protected bike lanes as possible, so children can move safely.
In addition, these lanes would connect to Flushing Meadows park, Astoria and Flushing Bay Promenade.
I think it would be nice to have a small public information campaign letting people know what their options are, the distances and directions (signage). Flushing Meadows Corona Park, for example, is 15 min bike ride away. It has a fantastic indoor pool, an ice skate rink, dozens of tennis courts etc.

A few reasons why I think this could work

Northern Queens lacks parks. We can't have a massive park here. But we can improve access to parks nearby.
East Elmhurst has no subway. Going from JH to Astoria by train is a pain. This could help mitigate the problem.
By improving the connection between Flushing, East Elmhurst, Corona and Astoria, more costumers would move around.
It would give everyone something fun to do: bike safely around Queens.

Frankly, I can't believe I'm starting this thread. This is the first time I try something like this. But I like the idea, it seems doable and I thought, what the heck, maybe we can make it happen if some people help.

I'll be happy to hear input and criticism. DM me if you want to help.

I live here too · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2015, 09:53:37 AM »

I appreciate the effort to make NYC more ecological re transportation. However I must admit I hate the bike lanes because they make driving much more challenging, especially because so many bicyclists zoom up on you when you're in the midst of making a turn. I guess it's better than having people ride on the sidewalk.

lalochezia · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2015, 10:15:20 AM »

See below for some previous discussion on a related matter, including a forum on making queens safer *tomorrow*

http://www.jacksonheightslife.com/community/index.php?topic=13113

twmeb · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2015, 10:48:06 AM »

Good ideas, specanha! You should get in touch with the Queens committee of Transportation Alternatives.

I haven't been to a meeting yet, but they meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month, right here in Jackson Heights:

http://transalt.org/getinvolved/neighborhood/queens

They will know what efforts are being made in regards to bike lanes, and how to direct your ideas through the proper channels.

wk067781 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2015, 11:58:42 AM »

We barely have enough room for all the cars now...

toddg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2015, 12:26:25 PM »

I think these are great ideas. I think protected lanes on the north-south streets will be difficult, but they seem very feasible for the avenues north of Northern Blvd.

The forum on 111th Street tomorrow afternoon that Lalochezia mentioned could be a great place to meet others interested in this issue. Also, as twmeb suggested, the Transportation Alternatives Queens Volunteer Committee is a great place to organize on this issue.

Also, you may be interested in this letter that Julissa Ferreras wrote to NYCDOT last year... she has been very responsive on this issue.
http://www.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DOT-Commissioner-Community-Requests-9-12-2014.pdf

HAMjacksonheights · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2015, 12:29:33 PM »

I am down to help you, I am a huge cyclist and I also recycle old/unwanted vintage bicycles and bring them back to life.

Biking in the city has so many benefits such as exercise, less costly then driving/cab/subway/Uber and not to mention faster and bike lanes will only help organize that etc

Is there going to be a meeting to discuss this?

specanha · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2015, 02:03:53 PM »

Thanks for the tips, toddg & twmeb. I emailed Transportation Alternatives a few weeks ago and they were supportive. I didn't have the chance to meet them in person yet, but I will do my best to attend next month. I believe that they can be helpful with guidance on procedures to move the idea forward, but we need to create our own group to make what needs to be done (come up with a proposal, gather signatures and other forms of public support, city council member support and submit it to the community board).

HAMjacksonheights: I received messages from two folks here so far -- including you. Many thanks! I'm thinking about giving people a couple more days, some people might come to this forum only once in a while. Then maybe we call a meeting to refine the scope of the idea and to determine next steps. What do you think?

What do you think would be a good way for the group to communicate? An email list?

Meanwhile, I found these three links on Transportation Alternatives that outline some steps:

How a Bike Lane Gets Made
http://bikenyc.org/blog/how-bike-lane-gets-made-emilia-crotty-queens

How to Adopt a Bike Lane
http://www.transalt.org/issues/bike/adopt

How community boards work
https://www.transalt.org/sites/default/files/news/magazine/2008/spring/08-09.pdf#sthash.50DZjkPC.dpuf

Bel84 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2015, 09:54:36 PM »

After years of visiting this site to see if anything was new with restaurants I just registered because of your campaign. Am a newbie rider in the neighborhood and find the roads horrific. Would like to help make a change to the bike lanes.

missmarty · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2015, 09:48:57 AM »

It seems like there are enough people interested to organize a little ride and chat about how to get more bike lanes. Also, tour de queens is coming up, http://bikenyc.org/tourdequeens for those of you looking to feel loyal to our little borough...

I'll help organize a ride around serge's route. It's so hard for most to attend another meeting, but a casual ride might be nice.

Some of what you mentioned has been proposed on the 2015 bike lane. We need a DOT contact to see what's in the works.
Nicole Garcia is the new Queens Commissioner of DOT. Maybe you can write and find the right bike contact to get DOT info on where the next routes will be. She is very responsive, and will know who to talk to. Let us know too!! NGarcia@dot.nyc.gov

Spinitch · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2015, 10:51:43 AM »

very interested in this as well.

fillmorep · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2015, 11:14:33 AM »

I am also a local rider and would join a little trek to meet other riders in the area and work to make our roads safer for bikes. I moved to JH in 2008 and though I love being here, I do miss the plethora of options for bikers in my former borough, Brooklyn. Queens has nothing like the Ocean Parkway path that leads you safely all the way to the beach at Coney Island. So many highways here! Took Le Tour the first year I lived here and may go this year too. Thanks for all this info and input. Will watch the thread...

specanha · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2015, 11:36:12 AM »

Thanks, missmarty. Lovely tips and ideas. I just wrote to Nicole and will report here when I hear back.

So far, four people have contacted me to help. Thank you all. Anyone who wants want to join, please send me a message with your name and email, I will create an email list.

Ecowoodlandsprite · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2015, 11:45:39 AM »

I actually just created an account to respond to this thread (I've been lurking since before I moved here).

My boyfriend and I just moved to Jackson Heights from Europe, and we have been considering purchasing bikes to get around. Unfortunately, I'm a bit scared to ride a bike as it is in the area. I would love to help with the campaign for more bike lanes--and I've been looking for a way to get more involved with the community!

racert · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2015, 12:26:47 PM »

I totally support this, and I think the community should push for more protected lanes (like Broadway in Manhattan or Kent Avenue in Brooklyn.)

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Author Topic: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights (Read 17549 times)

specanha

Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

I live here too

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

lalochezia

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

twmeb

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

wk067781

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

toddg

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

HAMjacksonheights

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

specanha

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

Bel84

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

missmarty

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

Spinitch

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

fillmorep

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

specanha

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

Ecowoodlandsprite

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights

racert

Re: Campaign to build more bike lanes in Jackson Heights