Cycling Over East River Bridges Hits Record High, Williamsburg Bridge Leads the Way

By Yisroel R.

Bicycle traffic across New York City’s East River bridges reached a new record in 2025, marking the fifth straight year of growth, according to newly released data from the New York City Department of Transportation.

City officials reported an average of 28,853 daily cycling trips across the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Ed Koch Queensboro Bridges during the April through October counting period. That represents a 30 percent increase compared to ridership levels a decade ago and nearly 18 times the number recorded in 1980, when the city first began tracking bridge cycling.

The Williamsburg Bridge once again stood out as the busiest crossing for cyclists, serving an average of 9,464 riders per day in 2025. That figure reflects a 10 percent increase from last year and continues to solidify the bridge’s role as a primary bike connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan. DOT also recently announced improvements near the Williamsburg Bridge bike lane, including plans to complete the Ashland Place connection and address a long-standing bump near the bridge’s bike lane exit.

Other bridges also saw significant activity. The Brooklyn Bridge averaged 5,625 cyclists per day, more than doubling ridership since the opening of its dedicated bike lane in 2021. September 2025 marked the busiest month on record, with more than 31,000 cyclists crossing the East River bridges daily on average.

Transportation officials said the continued rise in cycling reflects growing demand for safer bike infrastructure and expanded street space across the city.