12 JUNE 14, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
HEADING
Bike lane war has few winners
Queens fi nds itself in the middle
of a three-front battle over
the proliferation of bike lanes
across the borough.
On one side of the battlefi eld is a
coalition that includes the city’s Department
of Transportation, bicyclists
and street safety advocates who want
a dedicated network of bike lanes to
protect commuters on two-wheels
while promoting an alternative way
of getting around.
On the other side are a number
of Queens residents, drivers and
business people who believe the bike
lanes take up valuable parking and
travel space — causing inconvenience
and, in some cases, crippling fi nancial
problems for local merchants.
This battle could have been avoided,
however, had the DOT and local
residents more eff ectively communicated
and collaborated. It also would
have helped if the DOT had taken the
community boards seriously — and if
some residents had abandoned their
obstinate opposition to bike lanes.
A closer look at the battle demonstrates
the dysfunction.
In the west, Community Board 2
voted down a plan to install protected
bike lanes in Sunnyside. It didn’t matter
to some opponents the intentions
of the proposal, which came about
aft er a bicyclist was struck and killed
by a drunk driver. “I don’t care about
cyclists,” one attendee said.
Even so, the DOT indicated in a statement
aft erward that it considered the
board’s vote advisory in capacity — in
other words, the protected bike lane
plan isn’t exactly dead yet.
Meanwhile, Forest Hills and Rego
Park residents complain about the existing
bike lanes on Queens Boulevard,
and the DOT’s eff orts to expand them.
One business, Ben’s Best deli, is closing
up because, its owner claims, the bike
lanes caused a loss of parking spots,
keeping customers away.
Nevertheless, even as Community
Board 6 members voiced concerns
about expanding the Queens Boulevard
bike lanes at a recent meeting,
the DOT indicated that it was moving
forward on the plan regardless of
whether the board even takes a vote.
Finally, in the northeast, residents
have been screaming for months about
the Northern Boulevard bike lanes
which included terribly placed jersey
barriers near a Cross Island Parkway
off ramp that led to several accidents.
Before the bike lanes were built last
year, Community Board 11 suggested
that the lanes be constructed on the
sidewalk; the DOT ignored the request
and proceeded with their plan virtually
unaltered.
Bike lanes are a necessary part of
New York City’s 21st-century infrastructure,
but they need to be built
with the community in mind. We urge
the DOT not to dismiss reasonable
community concerns regarding bike
lane construction and placement. The
agency must also fi x any hazardous
conditions that may result.
We also urge local residents not to
be openly hostile of bike lanes. Not
everyone can aff ord a car or a $121
monthly unlimited MetroCard. Bicyclists
shouldn’t have to risk their lives
competing against vehicular traffi c.
EDITORIAL
ESTABLISHED 1908
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VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA SCHNEPS
Editor-in-Chief
ROBERT POZARYCKI
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DEBORAH CUSICK
Assistant Classifi ed Manager
MARLENE RUIZ
Reporter
RYAN KELLEY
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THE HOT TOPIC
STORY:
Ben’s Best Deli in Rego Park
announces it will close at the end
of June
SUMMARY:
Aft er more than 70 years of serving
pastrami, corned beef and cold cuts
in Rego Park, Ben’s Best Delicatessen
is on the verge of closing its doors
for good at the end of June.
REACH:
11,780 people (as of 6/11/18)
COMMENTS:
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