your first time overseas and your first time visiting NYC.
sure you can bring your folder, ain't gonna talk you out of it.
will you be alone or with other visitors?
but I'd rather get lost in the subway than on a bicycle in NYC, especially in the outer boroughs or NJ.
leave the folder at home, use that luggage space for all the stuff you'll be bringing back.
the folder is just one more thing to bring. rent a bike, it's cheap, I've checked the Bike And Roll site
it's $39 and up per day and on some days it's free, in 2009. can not find the free schedule for 2010.