Papa Tom

I started this thread on nyc.bicycles a few months ago, but now that the aforementioned appears to be dormant, I thought I'd end it here. My question regarded a little-known dirt path that led from a pedestrian/bike walkway over the Northern Blvd Bridge in Flushing into a roadway that could carry a cyclist fairly safely to the Flushing Bay Promenade. When construction in that area got hot and heavy, it appeared this little path was going to be a casualty, totally screwing up my otherwise awesome bike route from Syosset, Long Island into Manhattan. It turns out my little nightmare came true, to some degree.

Here's the post I added to the nyc.bicycles thread today:

April 26, 2009: Unbelievably gorgeous day for a ride through Queens. I
took in Opening Day of Bike Month NYC at Flushing Meadow Park, then over to
Citi Field and the Flushing Bay Promenade. Of course, my mission was to see
if there is still access to the Northern Blvd Bridge from the end of the
promenade. The answer is yes...but no. The ped/bike path over the bridge
now ends abruptly near the end of the auto exit ramp. To continue toward
the promenade, you'll need to ride with traffic in the exit lane, then go
straight ahead onto the street that provides access to the industrial area.
Those of you who are familiar with this interchange will know what I mean.
For those who aren't, I don't think I can describe it clearly enough to be
of any help.

Bottom line: I now need a new way to get from Northern Blvd to the
promenade. I suppose the obvious way is to turn right and head under the
bridge near the Gate 8 parking for Citi Field. This would lead to the spot
where the old World's Fair bus depots (they look sort of like Stingray fish)
are still standing. But how would I get off the pedestrian path over the
Northern Blvd Bridge and onto the roadway itself? Is this just a matter of
avoiding the ped path altogether and staying on the Northen Blvd roadway
from the beginning?

Papa Tom

Reply to Self:

Hmm, Self. I wonder...If I respond to my own post, will the thread again be highlighted? 'Guess I'll find out.

Saintly Loser

Don't know about Northern Boulevard, although I've never had any trouble crossing from Shea to the promenade. There are, I believe, two points of access from Ditmars Boulevard, although they may not be of that much use to you, depending on where you're coming from.

Papa Tom

>>>>There are, I believe, two points of access from Ditmars Boulevard....<<<<

That's at the other end. I'm trying to fill in a connector to the promenade from the Northern Blvd bridge.

v70cat

I ride in the Flushing queens area, generally the safest way to get past the down town Flushing area is to enter the Flushing Meadow via Booth Memorial Turnpike (you can pick this up from the bike path that runs out to Credmore) and exit the Park at Roosevelt Ave then go north of 114th Ave to the 34th Ave bike lane.

v70cat

Anyone else ride in Queens?

Papa Tom

Hmm. I've got to check this out. By "the bike path that runs out to Credmore" do you mean the one generally known as the "Motor Parkway" bike path, which ends at Alley Pond Park?

v70cat

Yes the Motor Parkway bike path, its very nice.

Papa Tom

Does the Motor Parkway path still begin off Peck Avenue, near PS 179? Based on Googlemaps, it appears to have been extended (at the other end) well beyond Alley Pond Park. Is Googlemaps just showing the route of the old Motor Parkway, or has a trail been laid all along this right-of-way? If so, at what point do you pick up Booth Memorial Turnpike?

v70cat

If you are talking about the eastern not sure, have not been that far out this year.

v70cat

As far picking up Booth Memorial you do it at at Kessina Blvd.

This link might help

https://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/queens-bike-map/

Papa Tom

Ahh, I see. So it looks like there is a "new" piece of the Motor Parkway trail that goes west, rather than east (toward Alley Pond Park) from Peck Avenue. And that goes to Kissena Park? Cool. From there, I see you can pick up Booth Memorial and go all the way to Flushing Meadow Park. Gotta try this one this year.

Thank you.

v70cat

A section of bike lane, which is about three years old, runs North from Alley Pond Park and takes you to the Bayside water front path. You could also take the LIE service road, from Nassau County, then pick up the bike lane at 232 Street and take that south to Alley Pond Park and the Motor Parkway bike path.