The Unisphere — the majestic centerpiece of Flushing Meadows Corona Park — now towers over the promenade as a defunct relic of the 1964-65 World’s Fair.
Photo by Renee DeLorenzo
To celebrate the growing community of bikers in New York City, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the inaugural “Ride Queens” bike tour, a free community cycling event through the borough.
Hosted in collaboration with NYC Parks and Transportation Alternatives, the event will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. Cyclists will choose between two routes, both beginning and ending in Flushing Meadows Corona Park: a shorter two-mile loop through Central Queens, or a longer 25-mile route stretching into Northern and Eastern Queens.
Following the ride, a festival at Flushing Meadows Corona Park will round out the event, featuring international food vendors, performances, sponsor tabling, and giveaways.
“It’s a great time to bike in Queens!” said Mae Francke, Queens Organizer at Transportation Alternatives. “We’re so excited to participate in the inaugural Ride Queens bike tour, and we hope this ride encourages more New Yorkers to get out there and see their city on two wheels. Queens has some of the best bike infrastructure in New York City.”
Taking place during NYC Greenways Weekend, the event can accommodate approximately 2,000 bike riders.
Richards hopes Ride Queens will become the borough’s biggest annual celebration of cycling, part of his larger initiative to establish the park as a premier destination for residents, tourists, and high-profile events. In July, Richards launched the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Task Force, a coalition bringing together public, private, and community stakeholders to drive investment into the park.
“There are few better ways to take in the sights and sounds of Queens than a two-wheel trek throughout the diverse communities that make up the World’s Borough,” he said. “Whether you’re just learning how to ride or you’re a dedicated cyclist who gets around the city on your bike, Ride Queens is for you.”
The exact starting location within the park will be announced closer to the event date, and participants will receive the routes digitally upon registration.
Pre-registration is required to participate in the event. Those interested in joining Ride Queens can sign up by completing the registration form or heading to queensbp.nyc.gov/ridequeens.