The Bridges for People Story

In our archipelago city, bridges are an essential connector. For decades, TA has fought for the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to access New York’s many crossings. Over the course of almost 50 years, we secured the construction of new routes and defended existing cyclist and pedestrian access on the most important bridges in the five boroughs. 

In 2016, the City cut off access to one of those routes, shutting down overnight access to the Queensboro Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians and replacing this access with a shuttle bus. Delivery and other late-night workers were especially affected. Queens activists recognized the problem right away — and proposed a solution: give car space back to people. At the same time, crowding on the Brooklyn Bridge was more dangerous than ever, with everyday commuters fighting for space with thousands of tourists on the narrow path.

From these dual crises, the Bridges for People campaign launched a new approach to a goal that TA activists had been chasing for some 40 years: giving space back to people on some of the city’s most iconic bridges. More New Yorkers were biking and walking, but bridge space had not grown to match. Bridges for People demanded a fairer share. 

Two petitions were launched, one for each bridge, and while activists set out collecting signatures, organizers published op-eds and sat down with local elected officials to bring them on board. In Queens, activists documented crashes indicative of overcrowding, and when the pandemic shut down the city, activists in Brooklyn organized online teach-ins for the elected officials in the districts surrounding the bridge. The Bridges for People campaign earned the support of local City Council members, state senators and assembly members, and one U.S. congresswoman, along with thousands of New Yorkers. 

But the City would not move quickly enough, despite our advocacy and a growing demand to give car space to people. Activists and organizers decided that in-person action was necessary. In Brooklyn, activists organized a ride and rally that ended at Gracie Mansion. In Queens, organizers executed a dramatic takeover of the south outer roadway in a protest march.
A few months later, Mayor Bill de Blasio conceded to our demands. In 2021, he announced what he called “Bridges for the People” — and we were happy to share the name. A full car lane on both the Queensboro and Brooklyn bridges would be given back to New Yorkers. While an important accomplishment, our campaign fights on, seeking even more space on those iconic bridges, as well as space for people on other bridges across New York.