LaGuardia Airport (LGA) sits on the north shore of Queens, which makes it one of the few New York airports you can reach by bike. This guide covers the official bike entrances at each terminal, where to park, and three rides from the airport into Queens: Jackson Heights, Corona and Long Island City.
Key Takeaways
- LaGuardia has three authorized bicycle routes, one for each terminal, all starting from Ditmars Boulevard.
- There is bike parking at all three terminals, including covered parking on Level 1 of the Terminal B garage.
- Bikes are not allowed on Runway Drive or LaGuardia Access Road, and you can't ride in front of the terminals.
- Jackson Heights, Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Long Island City waterfront are all practical rides from the airport. Plan the exact streets on the official NYC Bike Map.
Navigating from LaGuardia Airport to Queens by Bike
Every bike route into or out of LaGuardia uses one of three authorized entrances on Ditmars Boulevard. Pick the one for your terminal, then plan the rest of the ride on the NYC Bike Map from the city's Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). The web version shows protected bike lanes, conventional lanes, shared lanes, greenways and bike boulevards, along with Citi Bike stations, bike shops and rental shops. NYC DOT also prints a new map every spring, and you can pick up a free copy at a local bike shop.
The web map may not show construction or lanes that are being installed or changed, so check conditions before you ride.
Route 1: LaGuardia Airport to Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights is a neighborhood in northwestern Queens, with East Elmhurst and the airport to its north. It is known for its ethnically diverse community and its garden city architecture. Most of the surviving garden city blocks form the Jackson Heights Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Shops and restaurants cluster along 37th Avenue.
From Terminal B, leave by the 94th Street Bridge at 94th Street and Ditmars Boulevard and head south into the neighborhood. Use the bike map to choose streets with bike lanes or calmer traffic.
If you'd rather not ride, the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus runs from Terminals B and C to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and 74 St-Broadway in about 15 minutes in typical traffic.
Route 2: LaGuardia Airport to Corona
Corona is home to Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Louis Armstrong House Museum. The museum, at 34-56 107th Street, was the home of Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille from 1943 until his death in 1971, and it presents concerts and public programs.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park runs south from Flushing Bay, bounded by the Grand Central Parkway on the west and the Van Wyck Expressway on the east. The park keeps much of the layout of the 1939 World's Fair. Inside you'll find the Unisphere, the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science, Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Bike paths circle Meadow Lake and connect to the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway.
From Terminal C, use the 102nd Street Bridge at 102nd Street and Ditmars Boulevard. Walk your bike on the sidewalk there, as the airport requires.
Route 3: LaGuardia Airport to Long Island City
Long Island City is on the East River, facing Manhattan. Its waterfront centerpiece is Gantry Plaza State Park, a 12-acre state park in the Hunters Point section, built on a former dockyard. Its restored gantries, once used to load rail car floats, frame the view of the Manhattan skyline.
This ride heads west across the borough. From Terminal A, the Marine Terminal Road entrance at Ditmars Boulevard and 82nd Street is the closest airport exit to the west. Plan the rest on the bike map, choosing protected lanes where you can.
Biking Amenities at LaGuardia Airport
The Port Authority lists three authorized bicycle routes, organized by terminal:
| Terminal | How to enter | Bike parking |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | Marine Terminal Road at Ditmars Boulevard and 82nd Street | Marine Terminal Road and Fiorello Lane, across from Parking Lot 7 (follow the signs) |
| Terminal B | 94th Street Bridge at 94th Street and Ditmars Boulevard | Outdoor at 94th Street and LaGuardia Road; covered on Level 1 of the Terminal B parking garage |
| Terminal C | 102nd Street Bridge at 102nd Street and Ditmars Boulevard (walk your bike on the sidewalk) | West side of the terminal frontage |
Bike Parking Options
All bike parking areas are near stops for the free on-airport bus, the All Terminals Shuttle, which connects the terminals, parking, rental cars and car pick-up areas. Lock your bike, then ride the shuttle to your terminal if you parked away from it.
Terminal Access for Cyclists
A few rules apply on airport grounds:
- Bicycles are prohibited on Runway Drive and LaGuardia Access Road.
- You can't ride in front of the terminals.
- Bike access from the Flushing Bay Promenade is closed. Use the 102nd Street Bridge instead.
Bike Rental Services near LaGuardia Airport
If you arrive without a bike, Citi Bike, New York's bike share system, serves western Queens as well as Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn. The NYC Bike Map shows Citi Bike stations and shops that rent bikes, so you can find the nearest one before you land.
Tips for Biking Safely in Queens
- Ride with traffic and obey signals and signs, like any vehicle.
- Use lights and bright or reflective clothing, especially at dusk.
- Choose protected lanes and greenways over busy arterial roads.
- Watch for turning drivers at intersections.
- Check the bike map for construction before you set out.
Exploring Queens' Greenways and Bike Paths
Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The park's paths around Meadow Lake link to the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway. Combine a loop of the park with a stop at the Queens Museum or the Unisphere.
Long Island City Waterfront. Gantry Plaza State Park sits on the East River in Hunters Point, with views across to Manhattan.
Alley Pond Park. The second-largest public park in Queens, at more than 650 acres, Alley Pond Park lies between Bayside and Douglaston, south of Little Neck Bay and north of Union Turnpike. It is one of the parks the planned 40-mile Brooklyn-Queens Greenway is meant to connect. Only sections of that greenway have been built, with gaps between them, so plan street connections between the finished stretches.
Public Transportation Options for Cyclists
Transit rules for bikes vary by bus, subway and rail line, and they change. Check the MTA's current bike rules before you plan a ride that includes a bus or train, especially at rush hour.
If you're heading to JFK, the AirTrain connects JFK's terminals with the subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica and with the subway at Howard Beach. The fare is $8.75 when you enter or leave at either station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LGA have bike parking?
Yes. There is bike parking at all three terminals: at Marine Terminal Road and Fiorello Lane for Terminal A, outdoors at 94th Street and LaGuardia Road or covered on Level 1 of the Terminal B garage for Terminal B, and on the west side of the terminal frontage for Terminal C.
How do I ride my bike into LaGuardia Airport?
Use one of the three authorized routes from Ditmars Boulevard: Marine Terminal Road at 82nd Street for Terminal A, the 94th Street Bridge for Terminal B, or the 102nd Street Bridge for Terminal C. Walk your bike on the sidewalk at the 102nd Street Bridge.
Can I ride on LaGuardia's airport roads?
Not on all of them. Bicycles are prohibited on Runway Drive and LaGuardia Access Road, and you can't ride in front of the terminals.
Where can I bike ride in Queens?
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Long Island City waterfront around Gantry Plaza State Park, and Alley Pond Park are good places to start. The NYC Bike Map shows greenways and protected lanes across the borough.