Approximately one month before the Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to allow three private companies to deploy up to 6,000 e-scooters on the streets of eastern Queens, Councilmember Sandra Ung was joined by fellow community leaders to state their opposition to the expansion of the E-Scooter Share program in Flushing.

“I have been clear with the DOT since this proposal was first presented to me over a year ago: expanding this program to Flushing is a mistake,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “While it may be beneficial for other neighborhoods, Flushing is not the right place for this type of program. Our unique challenges and dense urban environment make this plan unworkable and detrimental to our community.” 

“Any public project is only as strong as the community support behind it,” said Assemblyman Sam Berger. “No matter how well intentioned the E-Scooter Sharing Program may be, heeding community feedback is paramount. There are many community concerns regarding efficacy and congestion within residential areas that must be addressed before this program is even considered for my district.”

“As a major transit hub with over 100,000 commuters and pedestrians walking throughout downtown Flushing, we must keep our sidewalks safe and clear for everyone, especially for people in wheelchairs and baby strollers,” said Dian Song Yu, Executive Director of the Flushing Business Improvement District.

Beginning in June, DOT will allow three private companies currently operating a similar program in the Bronx – Bird, Lime and Veo – to add up to 6,000 e-scooters to the streets and sidewalks of eastern Queens. The Queens expansion of the E-Scooter Share program will cover roughly 20 square miles, from Flushing and Auburndale in the north to Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens in the south. 

The proposal calls for creating approximately 40 parking corrals to sidewalks and roadways in downtown Flushing, which consist of painted lines, where riders will be expected to park the e-scooters. The sidewalk corrals will measure 15 feet by 6 feet, while the corrals in the roadway will measure 20 feet by 7 feet. 

During the pilot program in the Bronx that began in August of 2021, DOT added similar parking corrals in busy commercial districts. According to a recent media report, approximately one-quarter of users didn’t properly return the e-scooters to the corrals. 

Flushing is the busiest bus-to-train transfer station in the mass transit system, with tens of thousands of commuters passing through the neighborhood daily. Since taking office, Councilmember Ung has been working to address the issue of unlicensed street vendors and business owners displaying merchandise that already use valuable sidewalk space. 

In July of last year, Councilmember Sandra Ung wrote a letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez expressing her concerns and urging him to reconsider introducing the shared e-scooter program to Flushing. She has since reiterated her opposition in multiple meetings with the Department of Transportation.

Both Community Board 7 and the Flushing BID have stated their opposition to the expansion in Flushing during meetings and presentations with the department. 

“Throughout the department’s community outreach, DOT has continually ignored the concerns of our immigrant community, and instead are going to go forward with this whether we like it or not,” said Councilmember Ung. “Our community deserves safe, walkable streets and sidewalks, not additional obstacles and hazards. I wish DOT would work with us to find solutions that enhance our community, not place additional burdens on it.”