Thinking of Biking from Fort Lee, NJ to Beacon, NY (New York: construction, safest)

[Westchester2]

I am thinking about biking from Fort Lee to Beacon, NY as I always wanted to do this, but I have a concern? Is there any way I could cross the Hudson River without a ferry as I really hate taking ferries across the river.

Someone told me before that they walked over the George Washington Bridge, but as I am aware of isn't it illegal to walk on interstates? So I thought if walking is ok biking must be ok as well.

Can you bike on the George Washington Bridge, if so what about the Tappan Zee Bridge, Bear Mountain, or Newburgh beacon Bridge

I have to choose which bridge to cross on out of these 4:

George Washington Bridge

Tappan Zee Bridge

Bear Mountain Bridge

Newburgh Beacon Bridge


Which ones are ok to bike on and which aren't? I was originally thinking of going on the Bear Mountain Bridge because it looks the safest to bike on for me?

I am also wondering all these bridges have tolls, so would I have to pay to bike or thats just for cars?


Has any of you biked or walked across those bridges, which one would you recommend. I prefer not to use the GWB because it goes right through NYC and I don't want to be biking on the streets of a huge major city so if I can do it on either TZB, BTM, or NBB that would be better. Thanks.

[VA Yankee]

Choose the Bear Mountain Bridge, I don't believe there would be a toll to cross. You can take 9W all the way up to the bridge.

[Dreamshot]

I'm not sure that there is a walkway across the Bear Mountain Bridge. There is a walkway across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, however. You'd have to cruise through waterfront Newburgh to access the walkway on Grand Avenue.

From the New York State Bicycle Route Wiki:
"The pedestrian walkway, open dawn to dusk, is popular with local hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. The Bridge Authority provided two parking lots, just north of the overpass on either side of Grand Avenue on the west side of the bridge. New York State Bicycle Route 17 crosses the Hudson River on the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge."

[Westchester2]

Originally Posted by Dreamshot

I'm not sure that there is a walkway across the Bear Mountain Bridge. There is a walkway across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, however. You'd have to cruise through waterfront Newburgh to access the walkway on Grand Avenue.

From the New York State Bicycle Route Wiki:
"The pedestrian walkway, open dawn to dusk, is popular with local hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. The Bridge Authority provided two parking lots, just north of the overpass on either side of Grand Avenue on the west side of the bridge. New York State Bicycle Route 17 crosses the Hudson River on the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge."

What about the Tappan Zee bridge? I'd love to cross that one if I can. I know there probably isn't a walkway over the BTM, but I thought you probably don't need a special walkway to bike it, since its not an interstate bridge and the speed limit is like 35mph there.

[citylove101]

The pedestrian paths/bike lanes are wide and easy on the George Washington and on any nice day they'll be full of cyclists. It's a a beautiful view of the city from on high.

I am almost positive there are no pedestian/bike pathways on the Tappan Zee and please, if you value your life, do NOT attempt to ride in car traffic on a major bridge like that.

[HV_Mom]

Check on the Newburgh Beacon Bridge, there has been a lot of construction and I think the pedestrian lanes may sometimes be closed. If it is open, I know it is quite a popular biking and walking option.

As others have said the Bear Mountain is a quieter ride and quite beautiful however the road on the west side which goes up towards Cold Spring and Beacon is quite narrow and windy, may not be ideal for biking.

FYI, the Newburgh Beacon and Bear Mountain Bridges are both administered by the New York State Bridge Authority.