Can You Walk, Run or Bike Across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge?

No — you cannot walk or ride a bike across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It is not one of the MTA bridges that has a pedestrian walkway, and bicycles are not allowed on the bridge outside the annual Five Boro Bike Tour. Only two events a year put people on the deck, and both are closed to the public.

If you only read one line: walkers, runners and cyclists do not cross this bridge — they cross by ferry.

🚶 There Is No Pedestrian Walkway on the Bridge

The MTA, which operates the bridge, states the rule plainly: “You cannot ride your bike across MTA bridges or through MTA tunnels. If the bridge has a pedestrian walkway, you may walk your bike across.” The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is not among the MTA bridges that have a walkway. The four that do are the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the Henry Hudson Bridge, the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge — none of them connects to Staten Island. For how the other crossings compare, see our guide to the other bridges. Source: MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

📅 The Two Days People Are on the Bridge

The bridge carries people without a car only twice a year, and both are closed events:

The marathon is the one time a person is on the bridge under their own power — as a registered runner. New York Road Runners is explicit that “there is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge,” and spectators are not allowed on any of the bridges on the course; to watch the race, NYRR points people to Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. The marathon is not a chance to walk or cycle the bridge either: unsanctioned bicycles are banned on the course. Our marathon closures and spectator guide has the hour-by-hour plan. Source: NYRR — Watch the Race.

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is the only event that puts bicycles on the bridge. In 2026 it ran on Sunday, May 3 with more than 32,000 cyclists; the MTA closed the Staten Island-bound lower level from 12:01 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. that day, while the upper level stayed open in both directions. Places are for registered riders only — it is not a public open-bridge day. For all Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge bike-tour closure information the MTA gives 718-556-8010. Source: MTA press release, Five Boro Bike Tour, May 3.

⛴️ Crossing to Staten Island Without a Car: the Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry runs between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and the St. George Terminal on Staten Island. It operates every day, year-round, and the ride is free; NYC DOT puts the crossing at about 25 minutes each way.

Bikes on the ferry: bicycles ride free under DOT's rules of conduct for bicyclists — board on the lower level at both terminals, dismount and walk your bike to the waiting area and while boarding, and store it in the designated bicycle area on the lower level. All passengers are screened on arrival at the terminals. E-bikes with pedals are allowed, but not electric mopeds, and no device may be charged on board.

Reaching the terminals: Whitehall is served by the M5, M15, M15-SBS and M20 buses and the subway at South Ferry (1), Whitehall St–South Ferry (R, W), Bowling Green (4, 5) and Broad St (J, Z). St. George is served by the Staten Island Railway and the S40–S98 local buses. Start with our Staten Island Ferry schedule and terminals guide, or the ferry and bridge viewing guide. Source: NYC DOT — Bikes on Transit.

🚲 Getting Your Bike to the Start of the Ride

With the bridge closed to bikes, cyclists reach Staten Island by ferry or by a bike-rack bus. Per the MTA you can take a bike on the subway but not on most buses; NYC DOT lists the S53 and S93 buses, which run between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Staten Island, as equipped with bike racks. Folding bikes are allowed on local and SBS buses if folded, and the Staten Island Railway takes bikes except on weekdays in the peak direction. Sources: MTA — Bikes on subways, buses and railroads and NYC DOT — Bikes on Transit.

🌉 Seeing the Bridge Without Crossing It

If you want the view rather than the crossing, the ferry sails right under the bridge and there are public viewpoints on both shores — see our photography and viewpoints guide. Those two event days are the only times the bridge is given over to people, so drivers should plan around them: check our bridge closures and annual events page and the 2026 events calendar. For a normal day's crossing by car, see what the Verrazzano toll costs and how it is charged.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can you walk the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge?

No. It is not among the MTA bridges that have a pedestrian walkway, so there is no way to walk across. To cross on foot, take the free Staten Island Ferry between Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island.

Can you bike across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge?

Not normally. MTA rules state that you cannot ride your bike across MTA bridges, and this bridge has no walkway to wheel it across either. Bicycles are on the bridge only during the annual Five Boro Bike Tour. The rest of the year the Staten Island Ferry carries bikes free.

When can cyclists cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge?

Only during the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, held each May, and only as a registered rider — it is not a public open-bridge day.

Can I watch the New York City Marathon from the bridge?

No. NYRR states there is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and spectators are not allowed on any of the bridges on the course. The recommended place to watch is along Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, where the runners leave the bridge.

📌 Official Sources

MTA bridges and tunnels (walkway list, bike rule): mta.info/agency/bridges-and-tunnels

MTA bikes guide: mta.info/guides/bikes

NYRR marathon spectator information: nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/watch-the-race

NYC DOT Staten Island Ferry: Staten Island Ferry schedule and traveler information