Protected Bike Lane Along Crescent Street To Debut This Month

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A protected bike lane is coming to Crescent Street this month, but it may only be temporary, according to the mayor's office.

The mile-long, two-way bike lane will run from Queens Plaza North to Hoyt Avenue North and will become available within the next two weeks.

Work starts next week on the southern portion of the bike path, a Department of Transportation spokesperson said, adding that the agency will keep the Astoria community updated as it proceeds with the project.

It's among nine miles worth of bike paths that city transportation officials plan to install through the end of May, part of a larger plan to help New Yorkers follow social-distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic by creating more open space.

"We believe new bike lanes will lay the groundwork for a cycling surge in the months and years to come," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.

The bike lanes are technically temporary, because the city's Department of Transportation has to give the City Council a 90-day notice period before making any cycling infrastructure permanent, Commissioner Polly Trottenberg told reporters Wednesday.

Some may become permanent, depending on feedback from local community boards and elected officials.

Crescent Street had been slated to get a protected bike lane since before the coronavirus became part of New Yorkers' everyday vocabulary.

Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation started collecting feedback on its design for a new web of bike lanes throughout Astoria, including protected bike paths on Crescent and along 31st Street. Those bike paths were due to be installed as soon as this summer.

"Though Crescent Street deserved this protected bike lane long before this pandemic shut down New York City, I am thrilled to see its construction finally begin," City Council Member Costa Constantinides said.