Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

NYPD Celebrates Independence Day By Closing Off Bridge Paths for Biking and Walking

Police officers blocking the Brooklyn entrance to the Williamsburg Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path last night. Photo: @davejohannes

NYPD officers were stationed at both sides of the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridge bicycle and pedestrian paths for hours last night, blocking access across the East River for people biking and walking.

No public notice was provided about the closures, which ostensibly were to prevent crowds forming on the bridge paths during the fireworks display on the East River.

Instead of bringing their bikes onto trains packed with Fourth of July crowds or going several miles out of their way to another bridge crossing, some people biked on the main roadway of the Williamsburg Bridge, alongside car and truck traffic moving at highway speeds. Dave Johannes captured the scene on Twitter:

NYPD also closed the Pulaski Bridge to people biking and walking, but people in cars were allowed to stop and take in the fireworks, according to Rebecca Baird-Remba.

The NYPD's street closure listings did not mention the bridges, and there were no announcements posted to DOT's Facebook or Twitter pages, as is typical during closures of this kind.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Streetsies 2024: Vote For This Year’s Biggest Failures

Overall, it was a pretty sad year. But what was the city and state's worst failures? You get to vote!

December 26, 2024

Streetsies 2024: Vote for this Year’s Best Livable Streets Projects

This year had some bright spots for livable streets projects. Here are the ones that stood out.

December 26, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Christmukkah Edition

We took yesterday off to celebrate the many holidays and to see the new Bob Dylan movie. But there was lots of news.

December 26, 2024

On Christmas, Let’s Consider the Successes of the Livable Streets Movement

Here's a short, heartwarming film about the successes experienced this year by the livable streets movement.

December 25, 2024

And the Winners Are…: It’s Time for the 2024 Streetsie Awards!

Let's start our annual year in review series with a broad roundup of the heroes, scoundrels and debacles of 2024.

December 24, 2024
See all posts