I would like to commute from Hillside Avenue, Queens, to midtown Manhattan. As the crow flies, I know Queens Boulevard is the best, but I've found it not very user friendly for bicycling. Any suggestions of a better way?
Best way from Queens to Midtown Manhattan by bike?
Sun, 05/02/2004 - 3:13pm
Sun, 05/02/2004 - 5:45pm
#1
Weekdays or weekends?
Queens Blvd is the only way. I live in Forest Hills and have been doing it for 20 years. Rush hour on weekdays suck and I prefer the subway. After 9:00am isn't as bad. Weekends are fine once you learn the traffic patterns. It's no problem going from F.H. to the 59th St Bridge in 20 minutes without unclipping a single time. The eastbound return is even easier.
el jefe
Sun, 05/02/2004 - 7:53pm
#2
I wanted to be able to do it weekdays.
I did it on weekends twice and found it pretty bad, haven't braved it on a weekday.
Sun, 05/02/2004 - 6:36pm
#3
Queens Blvd is fastest. Not as dangerous as Northern Blvd if you ask me.
The safest route is Astoria Blvd up to the Triboro and come down from 125th street. Very long route and not very well lit at night though.
There is a bike route that follows alongside Northern Blvd. Lots of cars parked in the bike lane and cars cutting you off.
Sun, 05/02/2004 - 7:54pm
#4
Thanks, Nathan.
Mon, 05/03/2004 - 9:03am
#5
Completely forgot!
You may like this route better.
Metropolitan Ave to the Williamsburg bridge. Maybe just 1-2 miles longer and the traffic is alot slower.
Tue, 05/04/2004 - 2:36pm
#6
Check the NYC bike map. http://www.transalt.org/info/maps.html
Mon, 05/03/2004 - 9:09am
#7
Myrtle
QB is fastest, Metro OK too. But consider Myrtle, depending on proximity. Myrtle ends at Metro Tech, just a couple blocks from the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
Tue, 05/04/2004 - 11:32am
#8
Queens to Mid-town
I considered it too. Eventually I settled on a compromise. I take the LIRR from Forest Hills to Penn Station (16 minutes) and ride the rest of the way to work. I didn't think that the ride through Queens and across the 59th St. Bridge was going to be pleasant.
You would have to get a folding bike, though. Very rarely a conductor gives me a hard time, but, for the most part it's been working out fine. They don't even ask to see my bike pass.
