Commuter Profile: Luis Fernando Quintero

Occupation: Jeweler
Neighborhood: Long Island City
How long commuting? All my life. I used use my bike to get around as a young boy growing up in Columbia and to work when I moved to New York City. I stopped biking to work frequently when I began working in Chinatown. Since then, although I now work in Midtown, I haven't bicycled as much. I hope that the City will make improvements that will make biking to work less of a challenge. Only then will I consider commuting more frequently.
Commute: From Long Island City to the Jewelry district in Midtown Manhattan.
Route: From 44th Drive and 11th Street in Long Island City, I take 44th Drive towards 24th Street, make a left on 24th Street and then access the Queensboro Bridge from 23rd Street. Right when I get off the bridge, I ride west and make a left onto 2nd Avenue and ride down a few blocks on 2nd Avenue and then until I find a street without too much traffic where I can turn right and head towards Lexington. I then take Lexington Avenue until 47th Street, where I make a left to between 5th and 6th Avenue. 20-25 minutes.
Bike: Fuji 10 speed
Gear: Helmet, sunglasses and radio.
Attire: Sunglasses year round. In the winter, I like to wear sweat pants and a sweatshirt. In the summer, I prefer to wear bicycle shorts underneath other shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt.
Weather: Not when it is super cold.
Lock: I don't have a lock because I've never had to park my bike outside.
Parking: Basement of my office building.
Why started? I get to work rather quickly and save money. And, I get exercise while not polluting the environment.
Response from co-workers: They are supportive and impressed. They tell me that biking must be what keeps me looking young and healthy.
Advice: Be responsible and follow safety rules.
Riding style: Aggressive but cautious at the same time. I am also extremely cautious of pedestrians. I once fell off my bike because I was trying so hard to avoid colliding with an elderly pedestrian.

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