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DOT to add protective barriers to Vernon Blvd bike lanes

Jersey barriers

Jersey barriers

Nov. 7, 2014 Staff Report

The Department of Transportation plans to put up jersey barriers on Vernon Boulevard—from 46th Avenue to 30th Road in Astoria—as a means to protect bicyclists from motorists.

The jersey barriers represent another step by the DOT to provide a smooth bicycle connection between the parks in Long Island City and Astoria.

The bike lanes on Vernon Blvd – from 46th Ave. to 30th Road– were redesigned last year, when the DOT created a two-way protected bike lane running along the west side of the street. A buffer of 5 feet– between cars and cyclists–was included.

However, Shawn Macias, project manager for the DOT, said that the agency has received feedback since its 2013 redesign that some cyclists want more protection that the existing buffer provides. He said that some motorists use the bike lanes to turn their vehicles around or will even park there illegally.

Therefore, Macias said the DOT plans to put up jersey barriers where the 5-foot buffers are currently located. The DOT will not be placing the barriers across the entire strip—just in certain locations

Community Board 2 at its monthly meeting Thursday approved the plan.

Macias said that since the DOT redesigned the bike lanes in 2013 bicycle and pedestrian traffic has gone up significantly.

2014 10 Vernon Blvd Cb1 Cb2

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6 Comments

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laura s

The DOT then needs to do something about all the trucks that double park on Vernon. Sometimes the only way to get thru is by using the bike lanes. Its a great idea to increase bicycle traffic, but whomever designed this bike lane doesnt know anything about the traffic patterns on Vernon.

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Sonny L.

trees not jersey barriers ~ that was a great suggestion at last night’s community board meeting!! the DOT kind of steamrolled this one.

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bp

Hopefully they can also make this look somewhat nice….maybe let an artist paint these if they are going to use cement blocks

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Lic fan

As a cyclist I welcome the idea. However, cyclists need to also follow the traffic patterns, I’ve been riding on the existing lanes when another cyclist ignoring the clearly marked traffic direction arrows forces me off my lane. Yes cars are dangerous but so are bikers not following rules.

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