Cycling News
Bumpy New Path Across the Williamsburg Bridge

In December 2002, the DOT opened a new bicycle and pedestrian path on the Williamsburg Bridge. The 18´ wide, fully-ramped path connects the Lower East Side with Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In Manhattan, it is accessible from Delancey and Clinton Streets, and in Brooklyn, at South 5th Street and South 5th Place. Its beautiful views of the Lower East Side, Midtown and the Brooklyn waterfront have led veteran cyclists to dub it the 'skyway.'

Unfortunately, 26 dangerous expansion joints make riding on the new path hazardous for 3,000 cyclists and pedestrians who cross the Williamsburg Bridge every day. They can cause cyclists to lose control of their bikes and crash, and pedestrians to trip. They also appear to violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. The DOT needs to replace the hazards with more gentle joints.

Dangerous expansion joints on the new Williamsburg Bridge path deter uncertain riders and can cause crashes.

The jolt-inducing joints are barriers to everyday cycling. Because they are difficult for unsteady riders to pedal over, some would-be bicyclists choose not to cycle. In addition, when cyclists ride over the bumps, they must worry about their packages flying out of bike baskets and off of racks; this is a dangerous situation that can cause them to crash.

Now that the DOT is nearly finished with construction on the bridge, it is time for it to remove the dangerous expansion joints and ensure that it is safe for all path users.

Write to:
David Woloch
Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs
NYC DOT
40 Worth Street
NYC 10001

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