Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Eyes on the Street

Washington Bridge Bike Lane Finally Open for Riders After Recent Tragedy

It’s safe sailing for two-wheelers on the Washington Bridge after DOT’s new bike lane finally opened.

|Photo: Ibrahim Hersi

The Washington Bridge — which once had three travel lanes for cars in each direction now has a two-way protected bike lane on its north curb, which opened for two-wheelers last month after years of construction delays.

As a result of the bike lane, cyclists who previously navigated a narrow sidewalk that barely gave them room now have a significant and safe protected space.

The new bike lane runs both ways, separated from traffic by concrete barriers.

Streetsblog visited the Washington Bridge last week and while the protected bike lane still lacks painting markings and striping, it is already well-used.

The previous design left lots of room for cars and little room for people walking and biking on the Washington Bridge. Photo: Lucia Deng
The new design give both pedestrians and cyclists room to breathe.Photo: Ibrahim Hersi

The city Department of Transportation initially said the protected bike lane would wrap up construction last year, but failed to finish the work until this spring – too late for cyclist Zenaido Rosas-Pinzon, who a hit-and-run driver killed on the bridge in early May.

Rosas-Pinzon, 30, was riding eastbound on the bridge — on the opposite side of the then-still-closed bike lane — when cops said he fell into the roadway and was struck by a driver, who fled the scene.

Since Rosas-Pinzon's death, Bronx and Upper Manhattan bike advocates have welcomed the opening of the new bike lane, which they hope prevents future carnage.

Cyclists and pedestrians share the sidewalk on the Manhattan approach, shown before the design.Image via Google Maps
The same spot as it looks today.Photo: Ibrahim Hersi

The new protected lane is one of several that DOT proposed for bridges across the Harlem River back in 2018 — though few of the projects DOT floated at the time have materialized.

DOT's repurposing of a vehicular lane for the bikeway mimicked similar designs it implemented on the Pulaski Bridge in 2016 and Brooklyn Bridge in 2021.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The ‘Problem’ With E-Bikes? The Super Fast Illegal Ones

New Yorkers are riding illegal vehicles marketed as e-bikes with little to no-consequences, and it's a safety problem.

October 21, 2025

The ‘War on Cars’ Is Worth Fighting — And Here’s What Life Might Look Like When We Win

A first book from the prolific podcast hosts offers a solid foundation for would-be advocates against automobility — and some new ammunition for veterans.

October 21, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Carnage All Over Edition

Monday's papers were a blood tide of crashes. Plus other news.

October 21, 2025

‘Outrage’: Pols — And Even DOT Boss — Protest Trump’s Block on 34th St. Busway

A huge rally in Midtown to urge President Trump to get his meathooks off our transit included DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who is poised to capitulate.

October 20, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Uncharted Territory Edition

"No Kings" means hands off our busway. Plus the news.

October 20, 2025

More Tantrums: City Halts 34th Street Busway After Threat from Trump DOT

The feds threatened to cut city and state funding if New York doesn't halt all work on the 34th Street busway so the FHWA can review the project.

October 17, 2025
See all posts