The traffic here might take a little getting used to, but as long as you just stick to the side of the road and anticipate that vehicles will be overtaking you, possibly to turn down a street as you approach an intersection, you should be fine. Our drivers have been coexisting with cyclists for some time now and are generally very aware. I actually find that the cyclists pose a greater threat to themselves, other cyclists, and pedestrians than do cars and feel safer riding around in Manhattan than I did riding through some sections of rural Virginia. There are indeed plenty of bike lanes, but be weary of cars using them to double park as well as pedestrians wandering out in front of you. The west side of manhattan has a bicycle path that runs the length of manhattan and offers you sweet hudson river views.. Take it all the way down south through battery park city and you will hit the marina at the World Financial Center. Keep riding south and you will soon come across a sweet view of the statue of liberty. Also, cross either Brooklyn or Manhattan bridge for some great scenery.. Brooklyn has some nice spots for cycling as well.. as does the Bronx..

You can also head north along the Hudson river greenway and connect with the George Washington bridge, then hug the jersey riverbank south for some spectacular views of manhattan.. Will have to do some climbing to get back over, though..