Have Sippy Will Travel

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New York is a wonderful city to explore by bike. According to city officials, there are now almost 1,200 miles of bike-friendly streets, including 25 miles of protected lanes with more bike routes to come. Not to mention the numerous dedicated bike trails and bike tours to be found downtown.

Whether you live in New York and are looking for exercise or are visiting the Big Apple and want to experience the city in a unique way, here are some of the coolest and most scenic places to have as a backdrop as you peddle your way through the five boroughs and perhaps even beyond.

Cool places to ride in New York

One great thing about the Big Apple is there are trails designed for all comfort levels. Skilled cyclists who are at ease navigating mid-town during rush hour can always ride alongside traffic, but many people might be more comfortable checking out one of the city’s numerous bike paths. Here are some good trail options.

Ocean Parkway Bike Path (5.5 miles) – Built-in 1894, this path is the oldest dedicated bike path in the United States. Cruise through Brooklyn neighborhoods on a comfortable, flat surface until you reach the stunning views at the beach.
Highbridge Park Mountain Bike Trail – This 3-mile path is a little more rugged than others, offering cyclists a challenge. With a difficulty rating of 25 percent beginner, 25 percent intermediate, and 50 percent expert, cyclists can view the rocky cliffs above Harlem River Drive and challenge themselves to complete the course. Great for bikers looking for a workout.
Central Park Loop – Central Park offers three different bike paths for visitors, each offering scenic views and comfortable cycling. See beautiful greenery, water, and statues along the way. The Full Loop is 6.1 miles, but there are also 5.2-mile and 1.7-mile options. Cyclists looking for a varied route can also choose to cross through Central Park at different locations.
Governor’s Island – Cyclists looking to get away from the congestion of NYC streets can find tranquility along the 7 miles of car-free biking on Governor’s Island with beautiful views. Hop the ferry to the island and enjoy a few hours—or a full day.
Bridges – New York has several bike-friendly bridges. Check out the Manhattan, Queensboro, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn bridges if you’re looking for this type of cruise.

Taking a leisurely ride along any one of the dedicated bike paths in NYC is not only relaxing but offers peace of mind. There are far fewer worries about being involved in a bike accident.

How to find bike trails

If you’re looking for other biking options, there are tons of places to ride in New York. To identify new bike trails in the area you live or plan to spend some time during your visit, check out the following good resources.

NYC Bike Maps – Find where trails are in each of the city’s boroughs, view maps, and much more.
LaneSpotter – An app designed for iOS that shares maps, shows safe biking options, biker ratings, and alerts in New York City.
TrailLink – This website is run by a non-profit. Through its tools, bikers can identify where trails are, share photos, or rate trails.
CitiBike – This app highlights bike lanes located in all five city boroughs, along with Jersey City.

One great thing about apps and websites, it takes the guesswork out of trying to find the best and most enjoyable places to ride. Fortunately, through the power of technology, you don’t have to struggle to find safe biking options in New York City. These websites and apps, along with others offering similar services, enable you to find exactly what you need.

Bike shops and rentals

Visiting the city and want to take a ride? Or maybe you’re a native New Yorker considering taking up cycling and want to rent a bike to check it out or purchase one? Either way, there are many bike shops and rentals located throughout New York. Rental options include Cloud of Goods, TogaBikes, and Bike Rental Central Park, to name a few. Want to find a bike shop?

Safety tips while riding

Before getting on a bike with the intention of cruising through New York City, you should know it’s not the same as riding in less-congested regions. Riding a bicycle in New York City can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. According to statistics, in 2017 there were 4,397 cyclist injuries and 24 cyclist fatalities citywide. Be sure to always follow best safety practices for cycling.

Do a pre-ride inspection of your bike.
Stay on marked bike paths and/or designated bike lanes.
Follow all traffic rules – never drive on sidewalks.
Always wear a helmet when you ride.
Obey all traffic signals – bikers are held accountable to these.
Yield to pedestrians at all times.
Ride with traffic, not against oncoming cars.
Be sure your bike is equipped with a bell (or horn) and reflectors.
Stay off phones when driving, avoid wearing earbuds.
Master using hand signals.

Remember, cyclists in New York City are subjected to the same rules and regulations are motor vehicles. Be sure to always obey local laws when riding in the Big Apple or anywhere else. Additionally, you are allowed to bring your bike on the subway if you need to travel to get to your desired trail. However, be mindful of other passengers and, if you can, avoid doing this during rush hour.

Enjoying New York City by bicycle is both healthy and fun! Whether you’re looking to break the monotony and get out into the fresh air or you’re a visitor wanting to tour as many landmarks as you can in a weekend, a bike is a perfect way to get the job done.