“Queens Boulevard is the most integral route through the borough, but it is simply not safe,” says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The majority of New Yorkers who use it every day, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists, are all at serious risk.”
T.A. advocates will begin Saturday’s event with a community discussion at New Life Fellowship Church in Elmhurst. They will outline the Zero on Queens Boulevard campaign, which calls for a redesign of the corridor to add pedestrian safety improvements, along with dedicated lanes for Select Bus Service (SBS), and protected bike lanes.
Pastor A. Redd Sevilla, Executive Director of the New Life Community Development Corporation says, “We, the people, benefit when we continually transform our neighborhoods to make room for pedestrian traffic and not just vehicular. I love walking to work because I see the faces of my neighbors and hear the voices of their greetings. I enjoy seeing the kids run as they are supposed and seeing neighbors gather in community. I hope and pray that none of these lives would have to be cut short because of poorly planned streets. Let us re-imagine and reshape Queens Boulevard to make it safer for the children, youth and families that walk and bike in its vicinity.”
After the meeting at New Life Fellowship Church, The Winter Wander continues with a group walk along the Boulevard toward Forest Hills. Local street safety advocates will discuss the history of the roadway and the dangers faced by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.
Council Member Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens) says, “Safety on Queens Boulevard has come a long way over the past 20 years, but we still have more work to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the community and Transportation Alternatives in order to ensure that Queens Boulevard is a safe place for all.”
Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) says, “Safety has improved with better stripping, medians and crosswalk countdowns that give pedestrians a little bit of extra time to start crossing the street before vehicles can drive from any direction. But more needs to be done. Pedestrian safety is a vitally important issue for my district and citywide. I have worked with the Department of Transportation to implement Neighborhood Slow Zones, Safe Routes to Schools projects and other pedestrian safety improvements. However, these improvements alone will not make our streets safer. Strict enforcement of traffic laws and pedestrian safety education for New Yorkers of all ages are absolutely essential to prevent future tragedies on our streets. I thank Transportation Alternatives for bringing attention to this important issue. "
About the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign
With more than 40 coalition partners and 2,000 petition signatures, the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign is poised to make major gains in early 2014. Local residents, small business owners and community leaders are calling on area community boards to support a street redesign to save lives and strengthen the local economy.
WHAT: Queens Boulevard Winter Wander
WHEN: Saturday, December 14th, 1 pm- 3:30pm
WHERE: Walk kicks off at: New Life Fellowship Church, 8210 Queens Boulevard,
Elmhurst, NY 11373
WHO: Transportation Alternatives and Concerned Queens Community Members,
Open to the Public
RSVP : bikenyc.org/event/5679
so where are people supposed to park? they put the parking in two lanes of the outer portions to slow traffic down on those portions of queens blvd. i take the train every day and almost everyone i know with a car takes the subway as well. but if they take away all the parking spots people will just drive more since there won't be a place to leave your car
ReplyDeleteGood luck in tomorrow's weather!
ReplyDelete