The 20th Ave Protected Bike Lane — Almost Totally Functional, But Not Quite

3:30 PM EDT on July 8, 2016

In the spring, NYC DOT striped a two-way, parking-protected bike lane on 20th Avenue connecting to the Astoria waterfront, but for weeks drivers kept parking in it. Queens residents tweeted their frustration with car owners failing to observe the new parking regulations:

New protected bike lane on 20th ave @NYPD114Pct @pwbnyc @MakeQueensSafer @juanjohnhans_ @NYC_DOT pic.twitter.com/YlLZFgtzgy
— Queens Bike (@qnsbike) June 12, 2016

The 20th Avenue protected lane is part of DOT’s effort to improve biking and walking access around Astoria Park [PDF]. Last month, the agency provided this statement to Streetsblog about the cars obstructing the lane:

DOT is currently implementing the bike lane project in the area and as with many other bike lane projects around the city, we know there is a learning curve. Our Street Ambassadors will be in the area later this week to share information with drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and the community in general about this street improvement project. In addition, we will continue monitoring the project.

DOT had yet to add green paint, which the agency is holding off on until utility work in the area wraps up.

The bike lane is still missing the paint, but conditions appear to have improved substantially. On Wednesday, Streetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson captured the above footage, and the lane was mostly clear of parked cars.

A few parked cars continue to obstruct the eastern end of the bike lane, which runs between Shore Boulevard and 37th Street. One car in particular has been sitting there for days and seems destined for the tow pound, Clarence says.

David Meyer @dahvnyc

David was Streetsblog's do-it-all New York City beat reporter from 2015 to 2019. He returned as deputy editor in 2023 after a three-year stint at the New York Post.

Stay in touch

More from Streetsblog New York City

Cycle of Rage

Cycle of Rage: Mayor is Failing the Leadership Test on Congestion Pricing

Purely for political and self-serving purposes, Mayor Adams is attacking congestion pricing — and, in doing so, is undermining the implementation of a program that he has long claimed to be a "strong" supporter of.

Gersh Kuntzman

December 1, 2023

MTA

New York City is Down One MTA Board Member as Mayor Fights Congestion Pricing Fee

Sherif Soliman, who was appointed to the board only last year, quietly resigned on Sept. 22, and the mayor won't get a new person on the panel until next year.