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

Streetsblog Gets Action! DOT Repaints Basic Markings on the Brooklyn Bridge

A fresh stripe painted this year on the BrooklynBridge bike/pedestrian path. Photo: Kate Nicholson via Twitter.

Summertime and the lining is pleasing!

The Department of Transportation, under fire for not ensuring safety on the Brooklyn Bridge bike and walking path, has finally picked the lowest of the low-hanging fruit — painting a new center stripe and lane markings to discourage pedestrians and cyclists from mixing.

Streetsblog has been asking about the missing or faded markings since March, when we referred to the repainting as one of five easy, immediate steps the DOT could take without delay. The DOT did not comment for that story, but we kept asking.

Finally, on May 15, we again asked, "When will the DOT repaint the 'ped' and 'bike' lane markings on the Brooklyn Bridge footpath, or install enhanced lane markings?" The next day, we were told the work would be done "this summer." Follow-up questions were ignored, but the agency did indeed meet its promise, doing the work just five days after June 21, the start of the season.

https://twitter.com/KateHNicholson/status/1144240851759063041

Our call for simple solutions was motivated by the increasing crush on the bridge footpath, which is just 10-feet wide at some places. Faded paint confused many walkers and cyclists about where they should be at any given time. In addition, NYPD vehicles, which block the pathway at four key chokepoints, contain humans who rarely do anything to ease conflict between cyclists and pedestrians.

Not only was the center stripe faded, but pedestrian and biker silhouettes had faded from each side of the path. Photo: Gersh Kuntzman
Not only was the center stripe faded, but pedestrian and biker silhouettes had faded from each side of the path (above and below). Photo: Gersh Kuntzman
Not only was the center stripe faded, but pedestrian and biker silhouettes had faded from each side of the path. Photo: Gersh Kuntzman
no signage on brooklyn bridge

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Busting the ‘City of Yes’ Myths

There are many lies being told about Mayor Adams's City of Yes rezoning plan. So let's debunk them together!

November 8, 2024

New City Trash Bin Rules Begin Tuesday

New Yorkers who live in buildings with nine of fewer units must put their trash out in bins on the sidewalk starting Tuesday.

November 8, 2024

No Charges as Bus Driver Kills Senior at Dangerous Downtown Brooklyn Crossing

No surprise: In just the 22 months since January 2023, there have been 70 reported crashes on the single block of Tillary Street between Jay and Adams streets

November 7, 2024

Want Parking? Kiss Goodbye Half of the Projected Housing in ‘City Of Yes’

Analysis: Modifications the mayor's City of Yes housing plan will result in less housing, experts say.

November 7, 2024
See all posts