Mayor Mamdani Announces Redesigned Bike and Pedestrian Connection to Brooklyn Bridge Ahead of World Cup

Pedestrians queuing across both bike and pedestrian access points to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan. Under the new design, this crosswalk will be widened to reflect pedestrians access to both ramps. Credit: NYC DOT

Nearly 30,000 pedestrians and more than 5,600 cyclists use the Brooklyn Bridge on an average day. In 2021, NYC DOT separated bike and pedestrian traffic on the bridge by installing dedicated, two-way bike lanes on the Manhattan-bound roadway. The remarkably successful project transformed the pedestrian experience while significantly increasing cycling volumes. Daily ridership has more than doubled - from 2,652 daily cyclists in 2021 to 5,625 in 2025 - while cycling volumes have remained steady or increased across other East River bridge.

This entry redesign builds on that success by fully separating pedestrians and cyclists at the Manhattan approach, where they are currently required to share space. As part of the project, NYC DOT will double the width of the southern crosswalk between the bridge and City Hall Park, creating additional space for pedestrians.

The Brooklyn Bridge entrance upgrade is the latest in a series of street redesign projects the Mamdani administration is prioritizing ahead of the World Cup. NYC DOT also plans to deliver a redesign of Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen by widening its congested sidewalks, expanding bike lanes and extending the bus lane north of 50th Street. Additional improvements will better connect Lower Manhattan to Union Square, including upgrading cycling infrastructure along Lafayette Street and widening sidewalks near Union Square. Most upgrades are expected to be announced and installed this spring.

"For years, the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge has been a chaotic and dangerous intersection for cyclists and pedestrians," said Assemblymember Grace Lee. "I am grateful that Mayor Mamdani and DOT are implementing an immediate redesign to separate the bike and pedestrian entrances. This fix will not only improve safety during the surge of visitors this summer but will help protect commuters and local residents for years to come."

"Every day, thousands of Manhattan residents, workers and visitors rely on the Brooklyn Bridge, but current conditions have created avoidable safety risks and congestion at its Manhattan entrance," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "This redesign is a smart, long-overdue investment that will make this critical gateway into Lower Manhattan safer and more accessible for everyone. I'm grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for advancing a project that prioritizes safety and improves how we move through one of the busiest corridors in our borough. As we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, these improvements will help ensure Manhattan is ready."

"The Brooklyn Bridge is a New York icon, and it's past time that getting to it by bike or on foot is safe and straightforward," said Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. "This project will deliver much needed infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians in one of the most congested corridors in the city. With the FIFA World Cup bringing millions of visitors to New York this summer, the timing couldn't be better."

"I cycle in this area almost daily, so I know firsthand how crowded and chaotic the Manhattan entrance can be," said Council Member Chris Marte. "For too long, pedestrians and cyclists have been forced into the same congested space at one of the busiest points in Lower Manhattan. This redesign is a commonsense step that will finally create safer, clearer access to the bridge and make it easier for the thousands of people who rely on it every day. With even more visitors expected this summer, these improvements are arriving not a moment too soon."

"Credit to DOT for safely redesigning access for cyclists to the Brooklyn Bridge from Park Row," said Council Member Lincoln Restler. "The dedicated protected bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge has phenomenally increased ridership - but it is treacherous for cyclists coming from or heading south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Creating a safe path for cyclists will make this entire area safer for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike."

"The Brooklyn Bridge is both a vital transportation link and an iconic landmark destination - a Times Square in the sky with more than 10 million annual visitors," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "Giving pedestrians and cyclists separate lanes on the bridge was a major step forward, but they were still competing for space at the bridge's entrance. The redesign being announced today will finally fix that issue, allowing New Yorkers on bikes to get on and off the bridge easily, and in turn giving pedestrians more room to walk. This project is a win-win, and it's wise to complete it ahead of the World Cup, when there will be even more people on the bridge - both on two feet and two wheels."

"Every New Yorker who has walked or biked across the Brooklyn Bridge has experienced the frustrating bottleneck at its entrance," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. "This path has been a free-for-all for decades, with pedestrians, tourists and cyclists jostling for limited space. These much-needed improvements are in line with the volume of bike use the bridge sees every day. We're delighted that one of New York's great public works will get the upgrade it deserves before the World Cup."

"The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic and heavily traveled corridors in New York City, and this redesign is long overdue," said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. "Creating safe, dedicated space for cyclists and pedestrians will reduce conflicts, improve safety and better reflect how New Yorkers and visitors should be moving through our city - safely, efficiently and sustainably. This is the most significant improvement to bike and pedestrian access to the bridge since the City reclaimed space from cars in 2021 to create a two-way protected bike lane. It's exactly the kind of bold, people-first investment we need for a safer, more accessible and more sustainable New York City."

"We're really happy to see this planned redesign of the Brooklyn Bridge's Manhattan entrance, which has always seemed to suffer from too many people trying to fit into too small a space," said Eric McClure, Executive Director, StreetsPAC. "Providing separate access points for both people on foot and people on bikes will make navigating the entrance easier and safer for everyone, and we're excited to see that the new configuration will be implemented so quickly. Kudos to the Mayor and Commissioner for making this work a priority."

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