Transformation of Astoria’s 31st Avenue Into Bike Boulevard

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Enhancing safety with expanded pedestrian space and bike
connections. Redesign of popular Open St.
includes critical new East West cycling route and intersection
upgrades to slow turning vehicles.
Project also adds more than 26,000 square feet of new
pedestrian space to reduce crossing times and add public

(00:21):
seating. The completion of the first
phase of a transformative redesign to enhance safety and
expand space for pedestrians andcyclists along 31st Ave. in
Astoria, Queens was announced. The innovative St. redesign
builds on the success of the popular Open Street by
prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety with a shared St.

(00:44):
design that expands pedestrian space and enhances connections
to existing cycling infrastructure on Crescent St.
and along the East River. The new street design better
reflects that 53% of daily tripsin Astoria are done on foot, 34%
are made using a bike and just 11% are completed by car.

(01:07):
A new one way traffic pattern and a Remagent shared St. design
have transformed 30 1st Ave. into a safer multimodal corridor
for all New Yorkers with more than 26,000 square feet of new
pedestrian space added to the St. safety enhancements.
A two way protected bike lane provides A vital East West

(01:29):
cycling connection from Vernon Blvd. to Steinway Street.
Creating a continuous protected bike route from Astoria to the
Queensboro Bridge has recently doubled the space dedicated to
pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic diversions at
intersections reverse the flow of one way traffic to reduce
vehicle volumes, noise, and discourage speeding while

(01:51):
maintaining local access and parking for residents.
Deliveries and pickups and drop offs.
Expanded pedestrian space and painted sidewalk extensions
shorten crossing distances, while hardened day lighting
through granite blocks and planters enhances visibility for
all road users. As NYC dot continues its record

(02:13):
expansion of protected bicycle lanes, the agency has sought
ways to make those lanes safer and more comfortable for
cyclists and other street users with additional traffic signals.
New, smaller bike signals are more visible to cyclists by
being located at eye level at the near side of corners where
they can be easily spotted before cyclists enter

(02:35):
intersections where most crashesoccur.
Additional flashing yield signals and stop signs along the
corridor encourage all road users to remain alert and follow
all traffic laws. 31st Ave. Open St.
In close collaboration with the 31st of a Open Streets
collective and the HorticulturalSociety of New York, the HORDE

(02:59):
NYC dot has remage into two block stretch of 31st Ave. from
33rd St. to 35th St. to support the neighborhood's well loved
Open St. The Shared St. design features
granite blocks and planters to provide hardened day lighting at
intersections while protecting designated pedestrian spaces.

(03:19):
Granite blocks throughout the shared streets double as
additional seating for pedestrians.
This design enables A seamless transition from weekday St.
operations to weekend Open St. programming during the warmer
months. For more information about
programming, operating hours andsupport for the 31st Ave.

(03:39):
Open St., visit their website.