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At long last, one of NYC’s most notoriously cramped crossings is getting an upgrade. Starting this Sunday, the Queensboro Bridge will debut separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, a fix more than five years in the making.
Currently, the north outer roadway is a shared free-for-all that forces thousands of daily cyclists and walkers into a single 11-foot lane. That’s about to change. Under the new plan, that north lane will become bike-only, while the south outer roadway, previously open to vehicles during limited hours, will be repurposed as a dedicated pedestrian path.
“After years of advocacy, many of us were excited to see [the city's Department of Transportation] complete the work to open new, dedicated pedestrian paths on the Queensboro Bridge,” state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said in a statement obtained by Gothamist. “It is a shame this announcement was needlessly delayed without explanation, but I am glad this day has finally come.”
The change marks a long-delayed follow-through on plans unveiled during the de Blasio administration. While a similar overhaul was completed on the Brooklyn Bridge back in 2021, the Queensboro project stalled under Mayor Eric Adams, despite his campaign trail nickname, “the Bike Mayor.”
Still, the Adams administration is now touting the change as a safety-forward win. “By reclaiming the south outer roadway for pedestrians, we’re helping create comfortable connections for the growing number of pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez in a statement.
The Queensboro is the second busiest East River bridge for cyclists, and usage is booming: more than 2.1 million bike trips were logged in 2024, up from 1.2 million in 2019. The numbers reflect a wider trend citywide, especially in western Queens, where expanded infrastructure in Jackson Heights, Astoria and Long Island City has encouraged a new wave of cycling commuters.
With the new lanes, the Queensboro joins the Brooklyn and Washington bridges in offering safer, separated crossings. Here’s hoping this finally ends the awkward sidewalk dance of “on your left!”