baobao

Fellow New Yorkers,

Is it possible to commute by bike across the George Washington bridge to 70-0 80th St, Queens, New York 11385?

I posted this on https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...p!-New-Commute

I was successful in commuting from NJ to NY City across path, but would like to instead just do commute via bridge so that I dont have to hop off bike!

Thanks!!

QNSplanner

Hey Baobao,

It is totally possible to make this commute. Lots of people commute over the GWB every day. Most of them are going to Manhattan, but what's another couple of miles through Queens, eh?

First, bookmark this page:

https://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnel...ycle-info.html

It will let you know if there is any funny business going on with the crossing. Usually, the south side is open, which is smooth sailing from Fort Lee to Washington Heights. However, the north side crossing has a bunch of stairs, so you're in for a workout in the case that the south side is closed.

From Washington Heights, I would recommend heading down St. Nicholas Avenue, followed by Adam C Powell Blvd, and then down the west side of Central Park. Exit out of the park at 7th Ave, turn left on 59th Street, and ride across to the 59th Street bridge. The entrance is at 1st Ave. and 60th Street.

From the 59th Street Bridge, you'll see Queens Boulevard straight ahead. There's a short bridge over Sunnyside rail yard with a bike lane on the sidewalk. Take the north side, and make the first left on to Skillman, and then bear right on to 43 Ave. This might seem a little circuitous, but Queens Blvd has no service road through Sunnyside and is relatively hazardous. Turn right on 50 St and then left on to the Queens Boulevard eastbound service road.

Here's where you will want to experiment a little, but I know for sure that you can go right at 69th Street, cross the LIE, then down through Juniper Valley. Left on Juniper Valley Road will take you to 80th Street just a few blocks north of your destination in Atlas Park.

Happy trails and let us know how it goes!

AdamDZ

He took my advice from a previous post to go over the Williamsburg Bridge. That's how I commute, this part of Brooklyn and Queens is more bike friendly; going from the Queensboro Bridge is a bit more convoluted and you're exposed to a lot more traffic plus the hurdle of crossing Queens Blvd and LIE and it's about the same distance. I tried that route and I sometimes take it for the sake of variety but I don't like it as much as taking Grand Ave to Williamsburg Bridge. I prefer taking Grand Ave or Metropolitan. But this is strictly personal preference: you should try both routes and decide for yourself.

I'm not familiar with the West Side and GWB though. How would it work for him to take the West Side bikeway all the way to lower Manhattan and then cut through to the Williamsburg Bridge?

That's a heck of a commute though, two bridges and close to 20 miles probably.

Oh, I'm actually interested in this topic as well since I'd like to figure out the best way to bike out of the city from Queens via Manhattan and GWB. I rode over GWB a couple of times several years ago and I don't remember the details: I was following other club riders.

Adam

AdamDZ

Ah! When you said "path" in the PM you meant the PATH train! LOL Now I get it! Sorry. So let's continue this discussion in this thread rather via PM since, like I said, I'm not very familiar with Manhattan's West Side.

Adam

baobao

OK, I will likely stick to crossing Queens through Metropolitan rather than Queens Blvd (because safety is my # 1 priority).

I know this is definitely going to add some mileage, but I'm wondering whether this would add a lot of time to my commute?
I will be going from Zip 07093 to George Washington, and then Downtown, this does require time; however, i waste about 30-40 minutes by mounting/dismounting bike and then taking the PATH train.

I will keep you guys updated!

AdamDZ

Please let us know, I'll be curious how's your ride between GWB and WB.

Adam

QNSplanner

Going to the Williamsburg Bridge is a good idea. The OP is already going so far, what's another mile?

I work in Kew Gardens but sometimes my job requires me to go to the agency headquarters in lower Manhattan. I ride if possible, along Metropolitan Avenue. It's a nice straight run from Kew Gardens to the Williamsburg Bridge.

As for northern Manhattan routes, the West Side Bikeway is always a decent option, because it's fast and free of traffic signals, but I tend not to use it to get from the GWB to midtown or lower. First, there isn't any direct link from the Bridge path to the Bikeway. The closest access is via a bridge over the Henry Hudson Parkway a little north of 181 St on Cabrini Blvd. Then, it's a very (very) steep descent to the river. St. Nicholas Ave, on the other hand, has a good bike lane and descends very gradually. That's why it's my preferred route from the GWB.

I don't quite remember but I am pretty sure that Houston Street now has a nice new bike path that can be used to get cross-town from the Hudson River Bikeway.

Baobao, enjoy the commute! I'm sure you will grow to love it as you finesse it over time.

AdamDZ

QNSplanner, a few questions, if you don't mind:

1) Is Adam C Powell Blvd the same as 7th Ave above Central Park?

2) Are St.Nicholas Ave and 7th Ave two way streets? Can I get TO the GWB the same way from Central Park?

3) What's your approximate: how long would it take from 14th street, via 6th Ave, Central Park, St.Nicholas to the GWB, including the bridge passing? An hour? I have to time tomorrow how long it takes me from the Williamsburg Bridge to 1st Ave/34th Street.

4) So it looks like 7th Ave and 6th Ave are the best routes to Central Park from lower Manhattan, right? I don't mind riding with traffic if it means significant time saving. The idea is to get out of the City pronto so I can enjoy the ride later

If it's not freezing this Saturday I'll scout this route.

Oh, and I'll check out Houston tomorrow, if I don't forget, to see if there is a bike lane. I normally just cross it on my commute but I can detour to have a look. But my memory is that Houston has insane traffic, I may be wrong though. I know the City has been laying down new bike paths in that are including Allen Street.

Thanks!

Adam

AdamDZ

I rode Houston from Essex to 6th Ave this morning, then it gets narrow and congested. No bike paths, lousy pavement, lots of construction and drivers in a hurry to get to the Holland Tunnel. I'd stay away from Houston.

Adam

pennstater

I make this commute from NJ to Williamsburg regularly. Best route depends on traffic conditions which relate to the time of day. I cross the GWB around 6:30 AM. If I am on the Southside walkway on the bridge, I make the first right onto Cabrini Bvld (one block against traffic), a right on to 177 St and an immediate left onto Haven Ave. Follow Haven to the traffic signal at Fort Washington Ave and make a right turn. There is some traffic through Columbia Presbyterian area. Follow Fort Washington Ave to Broadway. Make a right on Broadway and an immediate right on 158th down the hill through the traffic light to the stop sign. There is a handicapped ramp on the right hand side of the intersection that will take you to the Greenway, or follow the ramp down (more traffice) to the left for access. Follow the path to Horatio street. Cross 9A there and follow Horatio (one block with cobblestones) to Greenwich Ave. Make a 45 degree right on Greenwich and cross 6 Ave where Greenwich becomes W 8 St. Follow W 8 (aka St Marks Pl) to Ave A. Make a right on Ave A to left on Stanton to right on Suffolk and then onto the WBB.

Crossing Lower Manhattan this way before 7:15 AM is actually very quick. After 7:30 AM traffic gets much tougher. An alternate here is Bleeker which has a path much of the way. But I find myself stopping for more traffic lights.

I usually depart Williamsburg around 3:30PM. Across the WBB. I turn right on Suffolk (1 block against traffic to avoid Clinton). Left on Rivington, right on Norfolk, left on Houston, right on Ave A, left on E 3 st, right on Lagaurdia Pl, right on Washington Sq S, left on Washingto Sq E, left on Washington Sq N which becomes Waverly Pl across 6th Ave, first right turn after 6th Ave and an immediate left onto Stonewall Pl which turns into Christopher St. At 7 Ave bear slightly right onto W 4 st, 2 blocks to Charles St. Left on Charles St down to the path on the river. Up to the handicapped ramp and back up 158 St to the second left turn, (first and second left turns are close to each other and both are labeled Riverside Dr), take one of the next streets to the right and follow 1 block to Fort Washington Ave. Left on Fort Washington to left on 177, to right on Cabrini and onto GWB.

There are many variations, but I have found this the easiest. If the North walkway is open on the GWB I will use the pedestrian bridge near the end of 181 St.

AdamDZ

Thanks pennstater, this is very detailed info.

Adam

QNSplanner

Sounds like Pennstater has this ride down!

pennstater

Been doing it for years. Just be aware that traffic conditions vary significantly according to time. St Marks Street is empty before 7:30 AM. I can usually make most of the traffic lights from the West Side to the East with just brief stops at 8 and 7 Avenues and by running a couple of lights for small side streets on Greenwich. If you hustle you can make all the lights from 6 Ave to Ave A with just a slow down at 4 Ave. Any later and traffic becomes terrible. Delivery trucks, little kids and school buses everywhere.

There is no good route in the PM going East to West. I've seen cyclists in traffic on Delancey Street. But I have no such death wish. I've tried everything. The students around NYU have a bad habit of just stepping off the curb without looking. There is an East-West bike route on 9th Street but it is always blocked by double parked vehicles and has heavy traffic.

By going across 3rd Street and around Washington Sq there is less vehicle traffic even though there are a fair amount of traffic lights and the clueless students. By the way, this is a great route on Halloween.

Christopher Street also has a bike path but again traffic is heavy and cars are usually parked in the path. Charles street seems to have very little traffic.

Be careful out there.

baobao

Today, I crossed from NJ into Manhattan through GW Bridge, traveled south along St. Nicholas/ Central Park/ East through 59th st/Queensborough bridge, then south through Jackson Ave/ Manhattan Ave/Metropolitan. I'm not pleased with that route. There are too many lights along St. Nicholas. Granted, they are timed so that they open/close together,but there's always a risk factor. Furthermore, ride along Jackson/Manhattan Ave area not particularly pleasant (traffic).

I think the Williamsburg Bridge is better option,albeit perhaps a bit longer in terms of distance.

Question: I know you can ride along the Greenway, but isn't it actually faster to stay on Riverside Drive? The paved asphalt there may be conducive to riding fast and not too many cars? I think at some point Riverside Drive does end (72nd st?). At that point, I could hop on the Greenway and then continue as discussed above?

AdamDZ

You've got to experiment and see what's best for you. The route preference is a personal thing. Our advice will get you started but you will have to test and tweak the route for your liking which may take weeks of riding. We'd like to hear though how your experiences are.

Use mapping software such as https://ridewithgps.com/ to measure distances. I find it helpful, sometimes a detour may seem a lot longer than it actually is.

Adam

pennstater

Riverside Dr could be faster. I use a road bike with 23s in good weather and don't find many places that require me to slow down on the Greenway early in the morning between 158th and 96th Streets. I don't know how to connect to the Greenway at 72nd Street. Mostly I just prefer to stay away from motor vehicle traffic. Before the Greenway was completed I used to come down a section of Riverside Drive and was uncomfortable with the relatively high speed traffic well above the posted 30 MPH especially in the sections with narrow roadway and parked cars. You should try both to see which you prefer.

Perhaps you should consider crossing the RFK bridge. I have seen a few cyclists on it, just not sure how to connect from Manhattan's streets. I also understand that the bridge walkway has signs to walk your bike and that the railing is extremely low to the point of being dangerous. But, you probably could come down St Nicholas and across somewhere to the 125 Street entrance. You end up on the roadways of Randalls Island and then get back on the bridge walkway for the crossing to Queens.

Have you seen this bike map of NYC:

https://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/nyc-bike-map/

And this about the RFK:

https://www.astoriabike.com/2008/03/t...provement.html

QNSplanner

My buddy was once approached by a baseball-bat-wielding man on the Manhattan approach to the Triboro (which btw is at 125 St and 1st Ave). He was able to u-turn and avoided getting close enough to be sure of the guy's intentions. I understand that I'm extrapolating from a single data point, but I don't take that when it's dark any more. Another (more certain) problem with the RFK is that cycists have to climb/descend four different sets of stairs. Great views, though.