ASTORIA – New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides, District 22, issued the following statement on May 13 in response to Mayor de Blasio's announcement that work would begin to build a protected bike lane along Crescent Street. 

"Though Crescent Street deserved this protected bike lane long before this pandemic shut down New York City, I am thrilled to see its construction finally begin. Going to work shouldn't be a daily life-or-death scenario, but sadly it too often is. Those who can cycle deserve a safe north-to-south route, from the Triboro Bridge to the Queensboro Bridge. My office is ready to work with the Department of Transportation to get this right, especially as later phases move north and interact with Mt. Sinai Queens. I hope this is just the first step in creating a holistic transit network for western Queens." 

Background: 

• Constantinides has called for a holistic transit network in western Queens that prioritizes bike infrastructure, especially when it comes to connecting neighborhoods. 
• In September, Constantinides first supported a protected bike lane along Crescent Street, which would provide a north-to-south connection between Astoria and Long Island City. 
• That same month, he called on the MTA to install protective fencing along the pedestrian path of the Triboro Bridge, as well as reopen the southern pedestrian path. Such moves would enable cycling along the Queens-Randalls Island span, which is currently banned. 
• Last month, Constantinides called on the New York City Department of Transportation to close the Queensboro Bridge's southern outer roadway to cars. He argued this will provide separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, which, in turn, allows commuters to practice social distancing across the bridge. 

Council Member Costa Constantinides represents the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria along with parts of Woodside, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights. He serves as the chair of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee and sits on three additional committees: Sanitation, Resiliency, and Technology.

For more information, visit council.nyc.gov/costa.