DOT to Add Protected Bike Lanes Under 31st Street Subway Tracks in Astoria

Plans are in the works to install protected bike lanes underneath the N train on 31st Street. The project, led by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), will run from 36th Avenue to Newtown Avenue. According to the DOT, it aims to improve safety in a busy stretch used by drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, street vendors, and more.

The redesign includes eight-foot curbside bike lanes with a three-foot buffer on both sides of the road, as well as new pedestrian islands at intersections. Importantly, the project will not remove any existing vehicle lanes.

DOT data shows that this section of 31st Street ranks in the top 10% of Queens streets for serious traffic injuries, with 178 injuries reported between 2020 and 2024. The redesign is similar to other recent projects underneath elevated subway lines, such as those implemented in the Bronx.

Work is scheduled to begin after July 1st and is expected to take about two months to complete.

We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you support a bike lane under the N train?

Our Position

OANA’s initial position is that we cannot consider supporting a protected bike line unless it is accompanied by bike lane Traffic Controls (Traffic signals and signage).that create timed movement between vehicles, pedestrians and bikes/micromobility. This is especially important in 31 st street as views are obstructed by the elevated train support structures. We also expect that rules against mopeds and scooters using the bike lanes be enforced because this is a center of our many delivery service. They need to follow the traffic laws to keep the chaos to a minimum. Lastly, loading zones are imperative as with the new design delivery trucks will be forced to block the car travel lane, which would be an impossible situation.