Mayor deBlasio is bypassing Community Board 4 and directing the Department of Transportation to install controversial bike lanes on 111th Street in Corona.  NY1's Lisa Voyticki has more details.

 

Delia Tufino bikes along 111th Street everyday to get to work.  

It's also where she came close to being hit by a car, so when she can, she uses the sidewalk.

"I know I'm not supposed to but sometimes I have to because I don't feel safe," said Tufino.

While there have been calls for safety improvements for years— the local community board and city couldn’t agree on what types of improvements to make.  That led Mayor DeBlasio to announce Wednesday he’s bypassing Community Board 4 to implement the changes himself.

"The right thing to do is move ahead with our efforts to protect people on 111th Street," said De Blasio at a town hall.

The road spans five lanes, which can be hard to cross in time for the walk signal.  

The Department of Transportation plans to narrow it, widen pedestrian medians, and install two-way protected bike lanes.  

"We were very excited the mayor decided to do the right thing," said Kristina Sepulveda, Advocacy Coordinator for WE Bike NYC.

The plan is a compromise, so the city will not install new crosswalks or traffic lights.  Queens Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland has been pushing for the changes for three years.  Many people cross 111th street to enter Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

"This is the beginning of the phase to look at traffic lights, adding traffic lights and crosswalks," said Councilwoman Ferreras-Copeland.

The hope, for now, is that larger medians will prevent accidents like one that happened in November where a city bus struck a woman with a stroller. 

"Cars are going to be more aware that pedestrians cross here, that people are trying to access the park," said Juan Restrepo, Queens Organizer for Transportation Alternatives.

Assemblyman Francisco Moya says the DOT should wait for Community Board 4 to vote.

“We should give them the opportunity to have their voices be heard as well," said Moya.

Last month, one board member said the bike lanes won't be needed once President Trump deports illegal immigrants.

It's that kind of hate speech that Delia experienced just three days ago.

"One of the drivers yell at me like go to your country," said Tufino.

Regardless of the rhetoric, The DOT says the plan will be a reality this summer.  

Community Board 4 told NY1 it had no comment.