Hello everyone.

I'm sure this question has been asked 1,000,000,000 times, and there are 1,000,000 right answers.
But I'd like to get everyone's opinion, which hopefully will help me make the right call.

I'm looking to get a new bike for me and my significant other; mostly for weekend riding in the park, or on (busy) New York City streets, or the boardwalk, or etc etc etc. You get the idea.

Do you have any suggestions, as far as manufacturers, features to look for, features to stay away from, etc?

Thanks!!