Tour de Flushing 2017 (Photo courtesy of John Choe)
Aug 14, 2018 By Tara Law
About 150 cyclists are expected to take to the streets of Flushing on Sunday for the second annual Tour de Flushing bike ride.
The 11-mile ride is being coordinated by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce with transportation advocacy groups Eastern Queens Greenway and Transportation Alternatives. The organizers aim to highlight the importance of improving infrastructure in Flushing, one of the areas in Queens labeled a Vision Zero “priority corridor.”
The ride is free and open to the public, but participants must register in advance. Riders will assemble at 9 a.m. at the entrance of Kissena Corridor Park at Main Street and Elder Avenue; the ride will conclude at the Quaker Meeting House at 137-16 Northern Blvd.
John Choe, executive director of the Flushing Chamber of Commerce, said that the event was conceived last year as a way to build community among bike riders and to highlight the importance of bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
According to Choe, the Chamber feels that investing in infrastructure is essential to supporting Flushing’s mom and pop business. Helping people to feel safer walking around Flushing will encourage them to shop more, Choe said.
Making Flushing more pedestrian-friendly will improve the neighborhood’s “street culture,” and take the streets back to what they were designed for, Choe said.
“Historically downtown Flushing wasn’t built for cars— it was built for pedestrians and horses,” Choe said.
Choe said that the organizers hope that the ride will also encourage people who are reluctant to ride on city streets to get on bikes.
The organizers will speak to the participants about ways to get involved in transportation advocacy, such as monthly meetings held jointly at the Quaker Meeting Hall by the chamber of commerce and Transportation Alternatives. The next meeting is Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Riders are asked to bring a working bike, a helmet and a spare tire.
For more information, contact John Choe at john@flushingchamber.nyc or to register click here
Featured Events
2 Comments
Flushing main street is a big congested mess. I’m a pro-bike person but I don’t care what happens as long as they can help alleviate that and make it better overall for the residents. It will only be good for the local stores too.
Just with respect to what to bring: of course a working bike and a helmet, and spare TUBE, not a tire, could be very helpful, or at least a patch kit in case you get a flat. Also always a good idea to bring a bottle of water and sunscreeen.