By Bill Parry
The women of Queens Bike Initiative are hosting a free all-morning event Saturday in Jackson Heights for ladies who are nervous about cycling on the streets of the borough. Safe Streets: Queens Women’s Biking 101 in Travers Park will offer tips about biking safely and put them into practice in a supportive atmosphere, according to the organizers.
“When I moved to Jackson Heights eight years ago, I realized there weren’t a lot of bike lanes like there are in Brooklyn,” Queens Bike Initiative’s Patricia Mulcahy said. “My friend would say they were too afraid to join me. A lot of the wives of our male bike riders refused to ride because they were uncomfortable because of the traffic and aggressive drivers, so I had the idea for Queens Women’s Biking 101.”
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with a focus on bike safety, comfort and maintenance. One of the things covered during the first half of the morning will be dealing with aggressive drivers or other bikers, how to choose a safe route, what to bring when you ride and street-safety practical issues: double-parked cars, car doors opening unexpectedly and narrow streets.
“A very experienced female bike messenger in the city will be leading our session,” Mulcahy said. “She knows all of the streets and she’ll stress safety.”
Then the group will take a leisurely ride on designated bike lanes in Jackson Heights and on the roads of East Elmhurst and Corona. Visits are planned for Gorman Playground, Landing Lights Park and Fischer Pool.
“If they like the event, perhaps they’ll join us on future rides,” Mulcahy said. “We go on rides every month. We’re riding to Rockaway next month. We’re a group of 40 to 50 and we are very enthusiastic.”
Dr. Laura Newman, a founding member of Make Queens Safer, is also a member of Queens Bike Initiative, which advocates for bike lanes across Queens.
“We want cyclists to feel confident riding in their own neighborhoods and carry the banner for safe streets,” she said. “The more people who cycle responsibly the better it is for our communities. And safety not just for the bike riders, but the pedestrians as well. We want pedestrians to like us as much as we like them.”
Women must be 18 or older with a bicycle and helmet. Riding lessons are not part of the program.
For more information, e-mail qnsbi
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
