Jim Burke

Jim Burke is a community activist, safe streets and public transit advocate, and longtime Jackson Heights resident whose work has focused on creating healthier, more people-centered neighborhoods. His advocacy spans LGBTQ+ rights, pedestrian safety, and transportation equity, including leadership roles with Transportation Alternatives Queens and the Riders Alliance. Jim is the co-founder of the 34th Ave Open Streets Coalition, which transformed a run-of-the-mill, car-choked New York City corridor into the city’s premier Open Street and an internationally recognized model for community-driven placemaking. Today, the coalition programs 26 blocks with free cultural, educational, fitness, and bike programs, demonstrating how streets can become vibrant public spaces that strengthen community, improve public health, and enhance quality of life.