A safe and accessible bike lane connecting Long Beach to the neighboring communities of Island Park, Oceanside, Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, and Rockville Centre would serve a vital transportation need for nearly 100,000 residents north of the barrier island. With an additional 34,595 people living in the City of Long Beach, the demand for better mobility between these areas is clear. During the peak summer months, heavy car traffic and limited parking in Long Beach create serious access issues. A dedicated bike route would offer a sustainable, efficient alternative for residents and visitors alike, reducing congestion and opening up new options for recreation, commuting, and economic activity.

The only direct connection between Long Beach and the nearby communities to the north is a stretch of Long Beach Road that currently offers no dedicated space for cyclists and sees high volumes of fast-moving traffic. This makes it a dangerous and unwelcoming route for anyone on a bike. As AASHTO’s Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities notes, “High traffic volumes and speeds should not be used as justification for not accommodating bicyclists because many of these roadways are the only ones that connect parts of communities.” The route is currently signed as a bike route, but no infrastructure exists to facilitate safe travel.

The proposed route would utilize the existing 6-foot shoulders along this section of Long Beach Road, with 40 ft. ROWs. The 3 existing car lanes would not have to be removed or reduced to facilitate these bike lanes. Between Daly Blvd and Austin Blvd, protected bike lanes with flexi-posts would provide a safer, more visible corridor. The southbound route would begin at Daly Blvd, where a pedestrian connection at Lawrence Avenue links to a residential neighborhood in Oceanside, allowing cyclists to access the adjacent shopping center and continue southbound. South of Austin Blvd, the route could transition to a shoulder bike lane or shared-use lane, with the southbound lane extending to Lorraine Road.

The northbound route would begin at Kildare Road and end at the signalized intersection that provides access to the shopping center. This allows cyclists to safely re-enter the shopping center area and reach the pedestrian entrance on Lawrence Avenue, creating a more complete and accessible route for riders traveling in both directions. Attached are some simple renderings of the North and Southbound sections.

For more info bikenassau.org