NYC Opens Car-Free Route Linking Manhattan, Bronx, and Randall’s Island

NEW YORK – A new chapter in New York City’s push for greener transportation began Monday with the opening of a car-free path across the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, allowing uninterrupted travel on foot or by bike between Manhattan, the Bronx, and Randall’s Island.

The new route, unveiled by Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and group bike ride, replaces the previous pedestrian-only walkways on the bridge’s Manhattan and Bronx spans. It’s now fully accessible to cyclists, walkers, and users of scooters or other micromobility devices.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber praised the addition, noting that it enhances the transit system’s reach. “We’re seeing tremendous growth in how people move around — not just with subways and buses, but bikes, scooters, and other modes,” Lieber said. “This gives more communities better access without needing to rely solely on cars.”

The project is part of a larger $128 million MTA effort to upgrade infrastructure for non-car travel, following recent improvements on other city bridges, including the Cross Bay and Henry Hudson.

A key part of the plan is a future extension to Queens. By 2027, officials expect the bridge system to offer a continuous, ADA-compliant path stretching from Astoria through Randall’s Island and beyond.

Supporters of the initiative say it will promote healthier lifestyles, reduce traffic congestion, and better connect parts of the city historically underserved by traditional mass transit.