In a bid to foster a greener cityscape and accommodate a growing number of pedestrians and cyclists, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, have disclosed plans to double the pedestrian and cycling space on the Queensboro Bridge. The transformative move will see the north outer roadway of the iconic bridge dedicated exclusively to cyclists, while the south outer roadway, which was previously a vehicle lane with limited usage hours, will now serve as a dedicated pedestrian path. "For over 100 years, the Queensboro Bridge has safely connected New Yorkers driving, riding, and walking between Manhattan and Queens, all while offering breathtaking views of the greatest city in the world. Now, our administration will make it even easier and safer to do so," Mayor Adams stated in the official press release.
This new initiative is expected to alleviate the crowding issues that have arisen due to increased pedestrian and cycling traffic over time. According to commissioner Rodriguez, the enhancement of space for these commuters not only improves safety but also bolsters the appeal of non-vehicular travel in the city. "We’ve seen record-high bicycle ridership in the city because we’ve provided safe, meaningful connections to riders commuting within and across the boroughs," Rodriguez explained in the press release. The change builds on the city's recent infrastructure improvements, including new cycling routes around the bridge's neighboring communities and the successful addition of a dedicated bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge back in 2021, which led to a surge in bicycle traffic. Interestingly, following that development, the Brooklyn Bridge witnessed a staggering 108 percent rise in cycling activity.
This effort is part of the broader "Connecting to the Core" project outlined in the DOT’s report, aiming to enhance the commute to and through Manhattan's Central Business District without reliance on automobiles. It also follows a trend initiated by prior projects on the Brooklyn Bridge and Washington Bridge and the addition of protected bike lanes in various parts of Queens. Such bike-friendly enhancements have contributed to a significant 20 percent increase in cycling over the Queensboro Bridge since 2020, illustrated by the bridge's evident pull of over 6,267 riders daily, according to the Mayor's office.
Statistics highlight the implications of this pro-bike agenda, with the Queensboro Bridge seeing more than just 2,785 pedestrians cross daily—it's also the second busiest East River bridge for cyclists. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred renovations like the 34th Avenue Open Street in Jackson Heights, which has become the city's most extended Open Street. While the pandemic shouldn't be characterized as a benefit, it did contribute to a shift toward open spaces and green transportation, indirectly directing more westbound cyclists onto Northern Boulevard—supported by the administration’s $89 million investment. Since 2020, the addition of 16 miles of protected bike lanes and improved access to and from Long Island City marks a significant step forward for the cycling community.
