Type: Regional Bike and Walking Project
Size: 50 Linear Miles
Status: In progress
The Harbor Ring is a proposed 50-mile cycling and pedestrian route encircling New York Harbor. The route would integrate 28 miles of existing shared-use paths and bike-ways connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bayonne, Jersey City, and Hoboken, and would include another 20 miles of bike- friendly streets. Most of the 50-mile route can presently be used by pedestrians, cyclists, runners, and skaters.
The Verrazano Bridge is the missing link. The bridge was initially engineered to include pedestrian and bike pathways, which were never completed. In honor of its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Verrazano Bridge should be completed. A Verrazano Bridge with pedestrian and bike pathways would be the keystone of the Harbor Ring, and would have tremendous benefits for the NY/NJ metropolitan region. Importantly, completing the Harbor Ring makes sense now more than ever because of the MTA’s recently-announced plan to improve the Verrazano Bridge.
The Harbor Ring’s benefits would be tremendous. The route would link many of the region’s spectacular, but often underutilized waterfront destinations increase commuting options between and within New York and New Jersey.
It would boost recreational opportunities, and would make the NY/NJ region one of the most bike-friendly in America. The Harbor Ring would also spur regional development by improving access to numerous vibrant business districts like DUMBO, the Columbia Street Waterfront, Bay Street, Ocean Avenue, downtown Jersey City, downtown Hoboken, and Battery Park City.
The Harbor Ring is an advocacy project of Street Plans, Regional Plan Association, and Transportation Alternatives. Click HERE to view the project website.
