The once-industrial waterfront between Old Fulton Street in DUMBO and Atlantic Avenue has finally been transformed into a long-awaited bike and pedestrian path in Brooklyn Bridge Park, offering all-new waterfront views and, more importantly, a buffer between cyclists and their motorized nemeses.
The two-way artery connects Pier 1 and Pier 6 — winding through the planned 1.3-mile, $350-million park — and gives cyclists rare views of the East River.
The path also offers an alternative to the busy, one-way Furman Street.
“It will help us and pedestrians navigate our ongoing construction,” said Ellen Ryan, spokeswoman for the city-owned park and waterfront development. “This is a really scenic and beautiful part of the park that they’ll enjoy.”
The path is also the next phase of the 14-mile Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway project — essentially a borough-circling greenway idealized in 1993. The 15-block access serves as an interim connection between the bike lane that currently ends at Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue, just south of Pier 6, and continue on past Pier 1 at the foot of Old Fulton Street to York and Front streets, all the way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and up to Greenpoint.
In addition to the bike path, the remainder of Pier 1 — pathways leading to water gardens, a non-motorized boat ramp and more green space — has opened to the public. But remember, bikes have to be dismounted once inside the boundaries of Pier 1, which is made clear by signage.
The interim bike path was first spotted by our pals at Brownstoner, though we’re there every day, too.