With the 50th anniversary of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge approaching, some Brooklyn bicyclists say it's time to create a bike and pedestrian path over the span.

Brooklyn resident Paul Gertner, with the transportation volunteer group Harbor Ring, says he and his fellow cyclists held a rally this weekend, urging the MTA to create the lane.

The "Harbor Ring" currently integrates more than 28 miles of shared-use paths and bikeways that include the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway and the Hudson River walkway. The group believes a pathway over the Verrazano-Narrows is a main missing link to their goal of uniting the city boroughs and New Jersey.

An MTA spokesman says engineering firm has been hired to "study in detail the costs and various impacts to traffic, operations, security, maintenance and the environment." The spokesman says the study is in the early stages and findings will be shared with the public at the appropriate time.

The rally is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Austin House in Staten Island.