[QUEENS, NY] – August 14, 2025 – The Supreme Court of the State of New York,
County of Queens, has issued a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction
halting the construction of protected bike lanes on 31st Street, following a legal
challenge filed by the 31st Street Business Association that asserts that DOT’s plan
would compromise public safety, devastate local commerce, and violate the city’s
own regulations.
The injunction, granted on August 13, 2025, temporarily blocks the New York City
Department of Transportation (DOT) from proceeding with the controversial bike lane
project pending a show cause hearing on September 22, 2025.
“We are pleased that the court has agreed to this pause,” said Joseph Mirabella,
President of the 31st Street Business Association. “DOT has tried to steamroll the
community with phony outreach, and has dismissed our concerns about siting,
safety, and suitability at every turn. The court’s ruling is an acknowledgement that the
numerous issues we raise in our suit merit thoughtful consideration.”
Filed on August 8, 2025, the lawsuit alleges that NYC DOT’s bike lane plan poses
significant safety risks to pedestrians and the very cyclists it is supposed to
protect; demonstrates flagrant disregard for existing fire codes and mandates; and
violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The
suit further asserts that the city acted without consulting FDNY or other first responders,
ignored credible studies that warn against siting protected bike lanes on streets with
numerous intersections and driveway junctions, and placed the desires of a small group
of unregulated cyclists and e-bike riders above the rights and needs of the broader
community.
Anthony Koulizakis, owner of ZA&D Service Station, one of the plaintiffs to the suit, said, “As a small business owner who would be negatively impacted by DOT’s plan, I am happy that the court recognized the many problems that DOT has not addressed. I’m in
favor of improving safety on 31st Street, but DOT’s plan for bike lanes will do the
opposite—all while hurting businesses.”
Panos Adamopoulos, owner of Pilates Design LLC, agreed, saying, “DOT likes to say
they reached out to all the businesses. But what did the businesses say? DOT won’t tell
you. Fifty-four of us got together and sent them a letter telling them exactly how their
plan would jeopardize safety and harm the community, and they didn’t listen.”
Many of the business that are party to the suit have faced threats and “review bombing”
by members of small advocacy groups that support DOT’s plan. Kostas Tsampas,
owner of King Souvlaki, said, "They get together online and call for boycotts and leaving fake one-star reviews because we are trying to protect our community, our livelihoods, the jobs of our employees, and the bikers themselves. And DOT has done nothing to discourage them. It’s very disappointing.”
The injunction will remain in effect while the case proceeds, preventing any construction
activity of bike lanes on the corridor and preserving current access for local businesses
and residents.
Contact:
press.31streetba@gmail.com