New York City business association files lawsuit to impede implementation of bicycle lane under subway tunnel infrastructure in Astoria
In Astoria, Queens, more than a dozen businesses have taken legal action against the city, aiming to halt the construction of a new protected bike lane on 31st Street. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, alleges that the redesign of 31st Street violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause by individually benefiting bicyclists at the expense of the broader community.
The businesses, which include a truck driving school, a Greek food truck called King Souvlaki, and an auto shop, claim that the Department of Transportation ignored their concerns about the bike lane interfering with commerce. Dan Monaco, a spokesperson for the businesses, stated that the city gave their concerns short shrift and proceeded with the plan to install the new bike lane from Newtown to 36th avenues.
The proposed redesign of 31st Street includes dedicated loading zones for businesses on every block and spots for taxis to pick up and drop off passengers. However, the businesses argue that the bike lane will encroach on their parking spaces and make it difficult for customers to access their establishments.
The bike lane construction has been a source of frustration for the business owners and the community, according to Dan Monaco. This sentiment is echoed in the lawsuit, which refers to the bike lane as a "Trojan horse" in the city's broader plan to create 50 miles of protected bike lanes annually to reduce car traffic.
The transportation officials, however, consider the lane a key segment in a growing network of safe bicycle routes in Western Queens. They claim that the bike lane will keep vehicles moving while improving safety. According to agency spokesperson Will Livingston, the redesign of 31st Street will address a high number of serious and fatal crashes in the area, partly due to poor visibility caused by columns in the road supporting the tracks.
It's worth noting that the redesign of 31st Street aims to address critical safety needs by better organizing traffic and improving visibility. There were 190 injuries to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists along the stretch between 2020 and 2024.
Interestingly, local businesses on Skillman Avenue in Queens experienced a boom after a bike lane was installed, according to Streetsblog. However, it's unclear if the bike lanes on 31st Street have ever hurt revenue.
The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, has been a subject of interest in this case. Monaco's statement suggests that the business owners are using Adams' decision to reverse the Bedford Avenue bike lane as a precedent for their own case. The business owners along 31st Street hope that Adams' administration will heed their complaints, as Adams has shown a willingness to address community concerns about infrastructure projects.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between promoting sustainable transportation and preserving business interests. As the city continues to invest in bike infrastructure, it will be interesting to see how these conflicts are resolved.
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