St. Demetrios parents, school administrators rally against planned protected bike lanes on 31st Street in Astoria - QNS

"A number of school officials, local parents and FDNY representatives rallied outside St. Demetrios Greek American School of Astoria Wednesday, Sept. 17, to protest against planned protected bike lanes along 31st Street, stating that the DOT proposal would threaten student safety and undermine first responders. The DOT has proposed installing protected bike lanes along a mile-long stretch of 31st Street underneath the elevated N/W subway tracks in a bid to tackle what the agency describes as one of the most dangerous sections in Western Queens."

"The DOT proposal would reduce the width of 31st Street's moving lanes and parking lanes by three feet and five feet, respectively, in order to make room for the eight-feet-wide protected bike lanes. The DOT also plans to add painted pedestrian islands at intersections to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and prevent motorists from cutting corners. The plan additionally bans parking at corners to boost visibility."

"However, the plan has met fierce opposition from local residents and businesses, with the 31st Street Business Association filing a legal challenge against the plan. The New York State Supreme Court has since issued a temporary injunction preventing the DOT from installing the bike lanes before a show cause hearing on Sept. 22. The DOT proposal has ignited a fierce local debate since its inception, with more than 4,600 people signing an online petition opposing the plan."

School officials, parents and FDNY representatives protested outside St. Demetrios Greek American School in Astoria over planned protected bike lanes along 31st Street, saying the DOT proposal would threaten student safety and hinder first responders. The DOT plans a mile-long protected bike lane from 36th Avenue to Newtown Avenue, narrowing moving lanes by three feet and parking lanes by five feet to accommodate eight-feet-wide protected bike lanes. The plan would add painted pedestrian islands and ban corner parking to improve crossings and visibility. Local residents and businesses filed a legal challenge and obtained a temporary injunction. Online petitions show sharp local division, with opposing and supporting petitions gathering thousands of signatures.

Read at QNS