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

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:

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.

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DOT’s Astoria Park Safety Plan Calls for 3 Protected Bike Lanes

By David Meyer |
Last June, a hit-and-run driver killed 21-year-old Betty DiBiaso at the intersection of 19th Street and Ditmars Boulevard, next to Astoria Park. The loss of DiBiaso prompted a neighborhood-wide discussion about the need to improve street safety around one of Queens’ most visited parks, and on Tuesday night DOT showed Queens Community Board 2 its proposals for the area […]