The city’s Department of Transportation is proposing a rule change that would allow mopeds to use the Brooklyn Bridge and the lower level of the Queensboro Bridge, giving riders a legal route in and out of Manhattan for the first time.

Currently, mopeds are banned from all city bridges, forcing many riders to use bike lanes, creating conflicts with cyclists. The DOT cited the increasing use of mopeds for commuting and delivery work as a reason for the change.

“A significant proportion of moped operators are delivery workers, many of whom live in Queens and Brooklyn and travel to and from Manhattan for work,” the DOT stated in its proposal. “Currently, there is no legal route for these mopeds to travel across the East River, as they are prohibited from operating on both the motor vehicle lanes and protected bicycle and pedestrian paths on all of the roadways that cross the river.”

Under the proposed rule change, only registered mopeds with license plates would be allowed on the Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges. Riders would also be required to pay the congestion pricing toll when entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

DOT officials said safety considerations factored into their decision to select the two bridges.

“There are barriers or bridge structures running along the Brooklyn Bridge and the lower roadway of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge that help protect riders in the event of a crash, while the configurations of the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and the upper roadway of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge do not provide the same protections,” the DOT said.

The DOT will hold a virtual hearing on the proposed rule change online at 10 a.m. April 14 to gather public input. Those wishing to participate can join the meeting via the city of New York's website.