My semi annual trip to eastern PA is very near. I would like to make a trip to NYC as a sightseeing/biking gig. I have checked out Transportation Alternatives website which I liked and it was very informative. But I would like to know where to go for the great NYC rides around the city. Also any info on what to avoid, must sees, and possibly how to handle panhandlers would be appreciated. I would like to NOT look like a tourist, so help would be nice in this area. I went out to Wyoming a year ago wearing my normal Florida garb and felt like a moron because I did not have on my Cowboy Hat/ shirt/pants/ or boots. I don't do traffic very well as there is none where I ride here. Thanks for all your help. I admire you guys dealing with all that traffic up there. wfin2004

Alright here goes:

1. To not look like a Tourist - Why not? There are plenty of tourist in Manhattan so you won't look out of place. Trust me. Carry a small camera that fits in your pocket and leave that pouch so many tourists wear around their waist. It looks like you're carrying money.

Outside of Manhattan, things can get a little different. You should not wear your best clothes or cycling tights in poorer neighborhoods like the Bronx. It's not that you'll be robbed, but you might feel uncomfortable wearing a cowboy hat when everyone is wearing jeans, ball caps and sneakers.

2. Panhandlers - Just make no eye connection. New York City is loaded with panhandlers so you might not be able to avoid them. On the other hand, you'll deal with them less while riding a bicycle.

3. You don't do traffic very well ?? - I guess you came to the wrong city. You'll be walking and taking the subway because New York City is ALL about traffic. The only time traffic gets light is on a Sunday morning at 6:00 oclock! You'll get used to riding in traffic or else you'll be dependant on trains or buses.

4. Great Places to ride - There's Central Park and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. I think riding the Westside Bike path is fine and there are beaches Coney Island/Far Rockway/Long Beach. If you like Roller Coasters, the Cyclone in Coney Island will rip your head off!

5. Bikes/Trains - New York City will allow you to bring the bike on board all MTA trains. You'll need a bike pass ($5.00 Purchase at Grand Central Station) to board Metro North and the LI Rail road. Using the train REALLY opens up lots of destinations to visit that could take you all day riding.
Unfortunatly, the buses have no bike racks. Some lines do but they are scarce.

6. Bridges - Did you know that New York City has loads of bridges. I think some of the most breath taking views are on the bridges. Brooklyn/ Manhattan/ Queensborough/George Washington

7. The Tram - Don't foget to ride the tram to Roosevelt Island. You can take the bicycle on board too! It's incredible to fly in the air on that thing.

8. Must see - The Statue of Liberty. Too bad you can't go inside the head anymore. WTC - Take loads of pictures.

Well... That's enough for me.

Thanks so much for the great info. Saying I do not do traffic well means that I am very nervous riding in it, especially being surrounded by a sea of yellow cabs. And by the way, I will make sure I wear that thing around my waist to show the world where my money is!! Thanks Again. -wf

Just got back from NYC (first time, weekend trip). Saw Empire State bld, WTC, Wall St., Statue of Liberty, Soho, MOMA, just to name a few. Stayed in Times Square. Ate terrific food. Saw Chicago. Walked my ass off.

I was impressed. I've been to Seattle, LA, SanFran, SanAntonio, Dallas. But NYC is unbelievable! So many things to do and see and eat! Talk to your concierge at the hotel. They can hook you up with the best restaraunts. The subway is awesome. Wish I could commute here in Boise on one. Alas, we are small. The musicians are fun to watch (street/subway).

We were tourists, but by the end of the trip, other tourists were asking us how to get places, and we knew the directions. HA!

for the best view on the manhattan bridge, you've got to walk the bike up now
well, at least that's what the sign says. and it's a great view at sunset.

you're gonna have to ride in traffic no matter what, but on the side streets there's usually less pressure (unless it's rush hour..then no place is safe.)

be aware of your surroundings and goings-on always. good intuition & anticipation skills will come in very handy here.

A great ride in the city would be a lap around central park, down to the Brooklyn bridge, across to Brooklyn, and a lap around prospect park. From there you can take a train back or ride back. A great ride out of the city is to ride up the west side to the George Washington bridge, across the south pedestrian walk into Jersey, then up the Pallisades road through Pallisades Park. Pallisades Park Road hits 9W after about 9 miles and you can turn around and head back or continue north on 9W (on weekends, it's known as the Lycra Road). Once on 9W you can go north to Piermont where riders flock from the city (great view of the TZ bridge) and get some lunch, then head back. This would be about 50miles round trip from central park. Continuing north would get you to Nyack and then on to the Bear Mountain Bridge (after a really big climb). Good luck.

Really? I remeber there are two sides that you can walk across, one is pedestrian only and one is for bikes.

start off with riding in the parks - central park is easy enough to get to. you'll love it - it's a 6 mile loop that is stunning. then if you still want more riding - the west side bike\pedestrian path is great. no cars on that and it will take you all the way downdown and up the east side. although once you hit battery park (the bottome tip of manhattan) it's disrupted and hard to find again.

that would give you a good 14 miles of riding surface (nearly completely car free). if you still need more - than i would suggest a ride across one of the bridges into brooklyn and then head down towards prospect park. you'll have to deal with traffic (unless you take the subway there) but once you're in the park it's fantastic. 3 1/2 mile loop that makes you think you're out in the country. it's amazing. good luck and enjoy your trip!

yeah, the side that faces jersey is now the footpath, and the side facing bburg is bikes (I just noticed the sign the other day)

they stuck us with the not as good view and the ride is nowhere near as smooth

Take a ride North on the West side highway path to The Cloisters/Fort Tyron Park. Beautiful scenery, great views of the George Washington bridge and a little old red lighthouse. Then ride South all the way around to the South street seaport. Also ck out this link.
https://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=501

That's actually the lighthouse from the children's book The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Grey Bridge .

My favorite is the stretch along the westside from 125th Street to the Battery, which runs past The 79th Street Boat Basin, several restaurants, skateboard parks, Chelsea Piers, an Acrobatic school, Kayacking schools and Ground Zero.

Never read it, but heard it's about saving the lighthouse after it was no longer needed due to the lights on the bridge (was that a run-on sentence?)