A thousand cyclists took to the streets of Queens on Sunday for the second annual Tour de Queens, an 18-mile ride organized by a group called Transportation Alternatives.

The tour started in Flushing Meadows Park and snaked its way through various neighborhoods in the borough, hitting some of Queens' most interesting sites.

This year's route included a stretch along Queens Boulevard, a busy thoroughfare which Transportation Alternatives is hoping will become safer for bikers in the future. The group is pushing for a protected bike lane on the thoroughfare, and many riders wore green this year to show their support for a greener Queens Boulevard.

Interest in the tour was overwhelming, according to Transportation Alternatives. Online registration filled up in less than 12 hours, and participation doubled from last year's ride.