"A Queens judge on Friday took the unprecedented step of ordering the city to rip up the partially installed protected bike lane on 31st Street in Astoria. Judge Cheree Buggs waited until the last legally permitted day to issue the ruling, which defies years of legal precedent empowering the city Department of Transportation to redesign city streets as it sees fit."
"In their suit, bike lane opponents, who include popular Astoria mainstays like the Parisi Bakery, Under Pressure Coffee and King Souvlaki, argued that the project would "jeopardize" the safety of cyclists and "increase the likelihood of injuries" to pedestrians - despite city data and mounds of research showing protected bike lanes do the exact opposite. They also asserted that the bike lanes would create "impediments for emergency service workers" - even though emergency vehicles can use bike lanes when necessary."
"DOT shall take all steps reasonably necessary to restore 31st Street between 31st Avenue and Newtown Avenue... to substantially the same traffic markings, land configuration, and parking and loading regulations that existed pimmediately prior to commencement of work on the Safety Project in August 2025," Buggs wrote in her ruling, according to a screenshot of the document posted on Instagram by NY1 reporter Samantha Liebman."
A Queens judge ordered the removal of a partially installed protected bike lane on 31st Street in Astoria and required restoration of previous traffic markings, parking and loading regulations. The Department of Transportation had installed a protected lane on one side of street last summer as part of a broader plan for both sides from 36th Avenue to Newtown Avenue. Local businesses sued, claiming the project would jeopardize cyclist safety, increase pedestrian injuries, and impede emergency services. City data and prior redesigns show protected lanes reduce injuries. DOT did not immediately comment.
Read at Streetsblog
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