Harlem Bike Ride, Walking Tour To Celebrate Greenway Funding

HARLEM, NY — The Harlem River Greenway isn't here yet, but a biking and walking tour this weekend is inviting neighbors to explore the area before the long-planned path is completed.

The bike tour will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Marcus Garvey Park, while the walk will start at 10:20 a.m. on the East River Esplanade at 125th Street, accessible via the 120th street footbridge.

Organized by the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, the event is meant to celebrate Mayor Bill de Blasio's pledge to spend more than $700 million to finish the Manhattan Greenway, including the sizeable gap between East Harlem and Inwood.

The walk will end about a mile north at Harlem River Park on 135th Street, while the cyclists will continue all the way up to Inwood, ending with lunch at Mamajuana Restaurant on Dyckman Street.

Those interested can learn more and RSVP here, anytime before 5 p.m. Friday (At least 45 people had signed up by Wednesday evening). Participants must also fill out a waiver.

Inching closer to the dream of a continuous, 32-mile green loop around Manhattan, de Blasio vowed in April that the Manhattan Greenway would be completed by 2029.

Some work is already underway, like the waterfront park between 125th and 132nd streets that is expected to open by 2025.

"As a 12-year resident of Harlem and a bike commuter, I'm keenly aware of the gaps in the Harlem River Greenway," said Becky Hahn, one of the ride's volunteer organizers, in an email. "This ride was organized to celebrate the announcement of funding, and to help build a community of neighborhood stakeholders who will push to make sure the construction work happens in a timely manner and in a way that's responsive to neighborhood needs."

Other organizers of the ride include Harlem Run and the Willis Avenue Deliveristas group.

On top of the greenway, the city has also committed $284 million to repair East Harlem's crumbling waterfront. The work will include rebuilding Pier 107 and repairing various sections of the East River Esplanade between East 94th and 124th streets that have suffered from years of decay.

Join @TransAlt Bx & Mn Activists, Harlem Run, & El Diario De Los Deliveryboys En La Gran Manzana for a or tour of the Future Harlem River Greenway this Saturday!
RSVP: https://t.co/YU7cifbuoZ pic.twitter.com/D5kAh2PZGQ
— Lucia :D (@LuciaDLite) July 13, 2021