i just went for my first ride with my new bike on saturday at prospect park, then went back today. as a new rider myself, and also nervous, i was pretty tense a few times crossing crowds of pedestrians or being passed suddenly on the left by a speed demon. overall though i thought it was alright. most of the time i kept to the bike lane (when pedestrians weren't in it) and the fast guys were on the road. i had a good time. much nicer today, except when the car traffic entered and every biker was suddenly forced to share a tight lane with the runners and strollers...after 6:15 the cars were nearly gone and it was very nice.