The Mario Cuomo bridge bike path is open today! A dream come true!!! Cyclists and pedestrians can now cross over the Hudson safely. The town will work with NYS to make the 119 corridor bicycle friendly from the South/North county bike trail.
If you like Bicycle Sunday’s, the Bronx River Parkway bike path, the South County & North County bike trail - you’ll love the new 12 foot wide path on the northern side of the westbound span of the Governor Mario Cuomo bridge which opens today. The new bike path will enable cyclists from Westchester to cross the 3.1 mile Hudson River and make stops at six scenic overlooks. If you are a cyclist (like me) this is a dream come true! In 1998 I was part of a committee that met with then Chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority Howard Steinberg. We asked him to create a bike path on the then Tappan Zee bridge. That was impossible. The Thruway Authority did agree to close the bridge once a year for an annual Muscular Dystrophy charity bike a thon which was very popular. I remember bicycling over the bridge a few times. A thrilling experience. Fantastic views. Great exercise. The town will continue to work with the state trying to make Route 119 leading up to the bridge safer for cyclists. Although the Mario Cuomo bridge bike path will be safe and spectacular - the NYS owned road leading to the bridge on Route 119 is not bicycle friendly. Lots of trucks, traffic. If a bike path or lane would be established on Route 119 from the South County and North County trail to the bridge it would enable cyclists to bike from the Bronx to the bridge and from Putnam County to the bridge and to Rockland County safely--on a bike path, not dangerous roads. NYS had funded a study of the 119 corridor and the report was released last year. The Mario Cuomo bike path will be a big boost to the local economy - encouraging more tourism. The thousands of cyclists will support local businesses in the river villages and in Greenburgh. . Should help hotels in the 119 corridor attract more business. Many thanks to Governor Cuomo, state lawmakers and bicycle advocates for making a dream of a bike path over the Hudson River a reality. This is probably the most important recreation enhancement in the region in decades. PAUL FEINER