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

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.