Brooklyn Bridge Gets Separated Bike and Ped Paths

Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan entrance to get separate bike and pedestrian paths by 2026

Brooklyn Bridge Entrance Gets Bike-Ped Split

Cyclists and pedestrians will get separate paths at the Brooklyn Bridge's Manhattan entrance under a redesign starting this spring. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the Department of Transportation will overhaul the chaotic bottleneck where nearly 30,000 daily pedestrians and 5,625 cyclists currently compete for space. The project adds a new bike connection along Centre Street, marking the first full separation at the Manhattan approach.

Addressing Years of Congestion

The entrance has remained a conflict point despite the 2021 installation of dedicated bike lanes on the bridge itself, which converted a Manhattan-bound vehicular lane into a protected two-way bike path. That transformation more than doubled daily cyclists from 2,652 to 5,625, according to city data, intensifying crowding at the approach. DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said investing in safe, high-quality bike infrastructure encourages more people to use it while benefiting pedestrians. The redesign is part of a larger street overhaul by the Mamdani administration ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Wider Crosswalks and New Bike Routes

The project will double the width of the southern crosswalk between the bridge and City Hall Park to provide more pedestrian space. The new bike connection along Centre Street will create the first fully separated approach for cyclists entering the bridge from Manhattan. Officials said the redesign addresses the chaotic bottleneck that's persisted at the entrance despite improvements on the bridge deck itself. The separated paths aim to reduce conflicts between the bridge's 30,000 daily pedestrians and growing number of cyclists.

World Cup Deadline Drives Timeline

Work begins this spring and is expected to be completed before the FIFA World Cup in June 2026, when New York City anticipates hosting over 1 million visitors. The timeline reflects the city's broader effort to upgrade streets and transit access ahead of the international event. Officials haven't provided a specific construction start date or detailed phasing plan for the work.

What Riders Need to Know

Bridge users should expect construction activity at the Manhattan entrance starting this spring, though officials haven't detailed how access will be maintained during work. The separated paths will reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians that've made the approach difficult to navigate. Moovit provides real-time updates for transit connections to the Brooklyn Bridge and alternative East River crossings during construction.