Marching with a Message: Protected Bike Lanes Needed in Sunnyside
Channel: Streetfilms®
Date: 2018-03-05

The all-inclusive, most diverse St. Patrick's Day parade of the year marched down Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside and Woodside, Queens on Sunday. The event is wonderful, upbeat and all about community. The Queens Committee of Transportation Alternatives has been a frequent attendee since the march's inception.

This year with tragedy from last year still in their minds, the Queens TransAlt Committee renewed their call to convert painted bike lanes on Skillman and 43rd Avenues to be converted to protected bike lanes, which NYC DOT late last year seemed ready to accommodate. The contingent was nearly 50 people strong and was easily one of the biggest contingents in the 90 marching groups taking part. All positive interactions with the crowd and lots of cheers. In fact, people could be seen joining into the march when bicyclists walked by.

The lanes would serve as a vital final link to establish a safe, green network that would eventually stretch from Queens Boulevard all the way into Manhattan's 1st & 2nd Avenue protected bike lanes. Advocates are currently awaiting for a Town Hall date so that the plans can be discussed.