Cyclists Undertake Annual "Tour De Queens"

Senator Gianaris attended the "Tour de Queens" bike race and talked to NY1 about the importance of and fun in biking around New York City.

Cyclists took to the streets of the city's largest borough Sunday for the fourth annual "Tour de Queens."

Organizers said more than 2,000 people showed up for the 20-mile ride that started and finished in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and took riders through the eastern and northern parts of the borough.

Advocacy group Transportation Alternatives organized the event, and spokesman Michael Murphy said today's enthusiasm shows biking is truly a five-borough phenomenon.

"It shows you your community in a way you've never seen it before," said Murphy. "Most people either just jump onto the subway and 'whoosh' out or zip through it in a car, especially out here. But when you're traveling on bike, you really get to appreciate the area you're in."

"You have a record number of people participating, which is sending the message that biking is good all around. It's healthier, it's better for the environment, it's better for the community," said State Senator Michael Gianaris. "And it's terrific to see so many families and individuals here today participating and sending that message."

Read the full article and watch the video here.