A very busy week on the Streetsblog calendar starts off with a memorial ride later today for Asif Rahman, who was killed by a truck driver while biking on Queens Boulevard eight years ago and would have turned 31 today. Queens Boulevard is getting safer thanks in large part to the advocacy of Asif's mother Lizi Rahman, as DOT phases in pedestrian improvements and median bikeways in Woodside and Elmhurst.
Also this week: The campaign for a 14th Street where people can ride the bus, bike, and walk without interference from car traffic heats up on Wednesday with Transportation Alternatives' rally for the "PeopleWay."
Check the Streetsblog calendar for the full list of this week’s events. Here are the highlights:
- Monday: Transportation Alternatives' Queens Boulevard ride in memory of Asif Rahman starts at Queens Plaza North by the foot of the Queensboro Bridge at 6:30 p.m. A ceremony with his mother Lizi begins at Queens Boulevard and 55th Road at 7:15.
- Also Monday: As part of the reconstruction of Long Island City's streets, the city is proposing some design changes. While the current plan includes some welcome improvements, it also overlooks important opportunities to turn car-oriented streets like Jackson Avenue and 11th Street into safe bike routes. The city is holding an open house on the street reconstruction where you can weigh in. 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: On the agenda at Brooklyn Community Board 2's transportation committee -- a follow-up street safety plan for Clinton Avenue from DOT, after the agency withdrew a two-way protected bike lane project; closing a slip lane by Third Avenue and Flatbush Avenue; and a look at how DOT intends to control car traffic exiting the Manhattan Bridge across the Jay Street bike lane. 6:00 p.m.
- Also Tuesday: DOT presents safety improvements for the western portion of 31st Avenue to Queens Community Board 1. 6:30 p.m.
- More Tuesday: Share your ideas for making downtown Jamaica more walkable at a public workshop with DOT and other agencies. 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: With an 18-month L train shutdown looming, the need to reallocate street space to transit, biking, and walking has never been more urgent. If you want DOT and the MTA to rise to the occasion, rally with Transportation Alternatives at Union Square for the "14th Street Peopleway." RSVP requested. 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday: DOT will present recommendations from its South Williamsburg Transportation Study, including pedestrian safety measures. 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday: The northwest corner of Columbus Avenue and 97th Street will turn into a one-day plaza with food, music, and other activities, courtesy of Friends of Stryker Park and DOT. All day, starting at 10:00 a.m.
- Sunday: Car-free Boogie on the Boulevard returns to the Grand Concourse. Among the ways you can get involved -- volunteer with the Riders Alliance to organize for discount MTA fares for low-income riders. 11:30 a.m.
Watch the calendar for updates. Drop us a line if you have an event we should know about.
