Fellow Cyclist,

If you’ve ridden the new GWB NorthWalk, you know that it is not a world class bike way that would make you feel safe while crossing. While there may be improved entrances, the main span is still too narrow.  And with increased use in warmer weather, the potential for conflict will only grow. 

We have a window right now to request that the Governor and Legislature fund upgrading the GWB South Path into a modern bikeway. I ask that you contact them and your state representatives over the coming week.

For a full description of the issues with the NorthWalk, click here and here.

The request is to allocate $60 million in the State budget to widen the GWB South Path.  Negotiations are in their final stage and must be finalized by the first week in April. Thus we need cyclists to email the following elected officials:

• Governor Kathy Hochul – https://tinyurl.com/yc36eztk

• Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie – speaker@nyassembly.gov

• Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins – scousins@nysenate.gov 

• Your State Senator – https://tinyurl.com/3mj8uxzb 

• Your State Assembly Member – https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

The body of your email should read something like this: 

“Although the Port Authority renovated the NorthWalk multi-use path across the George Washington Bridge, they did not budget the money to expand the width of the path beyond its original 7 feet—which is half the width needed to support current use and induce future growth. The PA has just begun its recabling project on the South Path. Now is the opportunity to widen it into a modern bikeway, which would also connect New Jersey cyclists to the Empire State Trail.

As a New York State resident and cyclist, I call upon you to allocate $60 million (or $6 million/year for ten years) in the State budget;” or as part of the Environmental Bond Act; or in tandem with New Jersey, to prevail upon the PA to to self-fund the project. Thank you for your attention to this important safety issue for cyclists.”

For the complete text of the email, click here.  Thank you!

Proposal to replace the temporary catwalk under the existing South Path with a permanent bikeway. Photo/Rendering: Neile Weissman, Joseph Lertola.