Opposition to Bike Lane Plans in Astoria
Residents and business owners in Queens are raising concerns about a proposed bike lane on Astoria’s 31st Street, which they describe as a potential disaster. They argue it could harm local businesses and compromise safety.
The City Department of Transportation’s plan involves narrowing the parking and traffic lanes to create a bike path between 36th Avenue and Newton Avenue. The parking lane would be moved further from the curb, which some believe could disrupt business access even more.
Despite views from some lawmakers, like Councillor Tiffany Kaban and Rep. Jessica Gonzalez Rojas, that support the proposal, local merchants feel it could hinder their ability to receive deliveries. The Post has reported on these concerns.
Panos Adamopoulos, owner of Pilates Design—a Pilates equipment manufacturer on 31st Avenue since 1984—expressed strong discontent, stating, “It’s choking,” referring to the pressures it could place on his 16 employees.
Even if drivers manage to find parking, they’ll face obstacles like overhead subway pillars, plus the need to navigate an 8-foot bike lane and a 3-foot buffer zone just to get to the sidewalk.
King Souvlaki, a food truck that has been a staple at 31st Avenue since 1979, has already been pushed closer to the road. Owner Lampos Tsampas noted, “For us, there will be no other space at that intersection.” He also expressed concerns about safety, remarking, “Some people say, ‘You can park in a floating car park and get into the bike lane,’ but that’s not safe at all.”
The Department of Transportation claims that the redesign aims to enhance safety, especially considering that several fatalities involving vehicles and pedestrians occurred in the area from 2020 to 2024.
Joseph Mirabella, an Astoria resident, voiced worries about his 90-year-old grandmother, an amputee, navigating this new layout. He said, “It’s a great safety concern to have her in and out of her car and wheelchair and cross these bike lanes.”
The new bike lane also threatens the existing pick-up and drop-off zones for students at nearby St. Demetrios School. The school, along with 50 other businesses and institutions, formally requested a reevaluation of the plan in a letter sent to Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez.
The letter highlighted numerous instances of accidents involving children and bicycles, stressing the need for caution in implementing such plans.
As of Friday, over 4,200 people have signed a petition opposing the proposed changes, citing increased traffic congestion, pollution, and delays in emergency response as major concerns.
This road serves as a vital connection point between the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Midtown Tunnel, and local business owner Esposito mentioned the far-reaching consequences of the redesign, emphasizing community safety and business viability.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation stated that the proposed changes are intended to enhance safety and support local businesses while managing traffic. They plan to engage with local business owners to gather feedback before finalizing their proposals.
