Streetfilms: The First Tour de Queens
Nearly 500 people braved the mid-90s heat yesterday to take part in the inaugural Tour de Queens, and Steetfilms' Clarence Eckerson was there to document the occasion.
By
Ben Fried
12:09 PM EDT on June 9, 2008
Nearly 500 people braved the mid-90s heat yesterday to take part in the inaugural Tour de Queens, and Steetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson was there to document the occasion.
In addition to discovering the borough’s best bike shop, viewers will see Congressman Anthony Weiner, stalwart defender of car commuters, deliver the following message of support to the crowd of cyclists:
We still have to make this city a much more bike-friendly town. For every ten dollars we spend for transportation in this city, nine dollars and 30 cents goes to moving cars around, and the other 70 cents is to help pedestrians and bike riders. We need to change that.
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Breaking: Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Woman on Deadly Ocean Avenue
The victim was taken to Maimonides Hospital, where she died. The driver fled.
April 2, 2026
‘Highway Therapy’: Lawsuit Reveals Alarming Details Of NYPD’s Rampant Car Culture
An NYPD officer is suing the city and three current and former members of the police department, alleging unlawful retaliation for failing to recognize a superior and writing parking tickets to teachers.
April 2, 2026
Trash Containerization Program Remains Unfunded in Mamdani’s City Budget
Whither the "Trash Revolution?"
April 2, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines: Joking Around Edition
Find out who fell for our April Fools' Day stories. Plus other news.
April 2, 2026
DOT’s Greenpoint Greenway Project Doesn’t Dream Big Enough
Greenpoint residents don't want the bike lanes from 2010.
April 1, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.