bmorey, New York must have emptied out for vacations. The streets are teaming with bicycles.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of pastoral places to ride in Manhattan. Some learn to enjoy the cityscape. Some trek out of the city to get greenery. Interestingly, riding after midnight can be enjoyable.

Yes, it's dangerous, but people do it. There's a guy here on bikeforums called gyeswho who frequents the singlespeed/fixed gear section. See posts and videos by him. He lives in the Bronx.