I spent the afternoon of Independence Day checking out some of the neighborhoods and promenades in Northern Queens. The route I chose took me from the Queensborough Bridge to Sunnyside then out farther east on 34th Avenue into Jackson Heights and Corona.

Coming off of the Queensborough Bridge is the most confusing part of the bike route network I have come across yet. On the bike map it looks like there is a greenway straight from the bridge to Queens Boulevard, but I realized later that I misread the map. There is a proposed greenway to connect the bridge to Queens Boulevard, but for now you are left to determine your own path across the complex intersection that is clearly designed for autos getting onto the bridge, not for pedestrians or cyclists.

Once I got onto Queens Boulevard though, there were clear bike paths the rest of the way, and great signage to get me east.

This trip was my first time through these neighborhoods, so I was hoping to get a good feel of what these communities were like. Unfortunately, there was not too much activity on the street or sidewalks, even though it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon (4th of July no less). Ocean Parkway and Bedford Avenue had all sorts of people hanging out on the street, but I guess 34th Avenue is more of a quiet residential street than a main thoroughfare. However, at the end of 34th Avenue there is a lively park with baseball games and food vendors.

It was however a very scenic, comfortable ride. Traffic was light and the bike lanes were well-paved and well-respected by the drivers, save for the usual double parked cars. Both sides of the 34th Avenue were lined with trees, and the median was as well. Imagine a quieter, less ritzy Park Avenue.

After getting to the end of the 34th Avenue bike lane, I rode over to the Flushing Bay Promenade, where you can great views of LaGuardia, Citi Field, and of course the bay itself. There was an unbearable stench coming from the bay for one part of the promenade, which was surprising since the Mets were out of town. I'm not sure if it was just the way the wind was blowing, or if that is a regular occurrence. There were not too many other bikers or pedestrians on the path, and I wonder if this smell is what keeps others away. I don't think I would go back.