A risk crossing the Washington Bridge in Upper Manhattan on foot

Crossing the Washington Bridge on foot is a risk for these residents of upper Manhattan: “There have been a couple of accidents up here, two times people have already collided with bicycles and motorcycles,” explains a passerby.

While someone else adds: “They come with engines, one has to take off because they come to everything. They do not respect. So, to that you have to find a solution; I understand that this should have it. Look at that situation, there you saw that We can’t fit in, we can’t fit in here. ”

The Washington Bridge connects Manhattan at 181st Street with University Avenue in the Bronx. Here pedestrians have to share the narrow lane of no more than four feet wide, with bicycles and other electric and sometimes motor vehicles: “This should only be pedestrian, not for bicycles, Many pass by motorbike, there is not much space,” says another passerby.

The 724-meter-long bridge was inaugurated in 1888 and has six lanes, two for vehicles in both directions and two for pedestrians on both sides. But due to an emergency repair due to rust and deterioration in the steel of the bridge, the side that goes to the Bronx has been closed so there is only one to share.

“They come fast and they don’t have a bell or horns or anything and it’s a danger for people who are walking,” says a neighbor. While another neighbor details: “Every day I walk here to go to work because I like to cross on foot, but it is quite uncomfortable.”

Some ask that one of the sides should be dedicated exclusively to pedestrians: “It is good that there was a space for bicycles and another for pedestrians, because many times they want to take one and that is not good.”

While others propose more ambitious and expensive measures, such as expanding the pedestrian path. Something that does not seem to be in the plans of the city government.

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