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Biking in New York City

February 8, 2023

Tours, Routes, Maps, FREE Bicycles

Biking in New York City can be incredibly safe and fun, as long as you follow a few rules. If had to pick my FAVORITE way to explore NYC, it would be on bicycle! The skyline views and hidden nooks of NYC you can see along our greenways are second to none. Why not add a little activity to your sightseeing and grab a bike to explore our amazing city?

Take a NYC Biking Tour

If the thought of biking through NYC streets seems a bit daunting – totally understandable, the first day I had my bike, I walked it everywhere and never even got on it! – then you’ll want to check out a NYC Bike Tour.

Central Park Bike Tour

Cruise the spectacular views of the river and city skyline along the Hudson River Park Greenway before heading to the famous 843 acre Central Park. You will also visit famous sites such as Strawberry Fields International Peace Garden, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare Garden.

NYC Insider Top Choices for Bike Tours:

New York Highlights Bike Tour (3 hrs) - good for all ages, offer bike trailers and baby seats, helmets, guides, from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge (9 miles).
Guided Bike Tour of Central Park (2 hrs)- guided tour through our amazing 843 acres, seeing Strawberry Fields, Cherry Hill, Tavern on the Green, Bethesda Fountain, Onassis Reservoir, the Alice in Wonderland Statue, Cleopatra’s Needle and the Dakota
Brooklyn Bridge & Waterfront Bike Tour (2 hrs) - cycle around Manhattan’s southern tip, climb uphill into the City Hall area, then up onto the Brooklyn Bridge, a steady climb of about 15 minutes.
New York Pass - includes choice of bike rentals and tours: Blazing Saddles, Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing Bike Tours and Rentals, Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours & Rentals and more!
More Biking in New York City - details on DIY tours, best places to eat on the water and more.

More New York City Bike Tours

Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tour

NYC Insider Pick

Price starting at US$

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New York Highlights Bike Tour

Price starting at US$

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Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour

Price starting at US$

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NYC Hotels with Free Bicycles

If had to pick my FAVORITE way to explore NYC, it would be on bicycle! Don't miss out on your choice of NYC hotels with free bicycles, allowing you to explore hidden nooks of NYC you can't see any other way. Some of our top value picks include:

Jane Hotel - Top NYC Budget Hotel, Right on West Side Bike Path
Hyatt Union Square - stay in the center of Manhattan
The Maritime Hotel - Hip Meatpacking District, Amazing Rooftop Cabanas

See the Insider Guide for dozens more NYC Hotels with Free Bicycles.

Biking in New York City – Insider Tips

Stick to official bike lanes only. Any rental shop will offer a printed bike map, with several bike lane categories: Fully protected (cars and bikes are completely separated), bike lane alongside traffic and temporary commuter bike lanes.
Most map programs and apps offer bike transport as a choice – so you would not look at walking or driving directions – but rather, biking directions, which will keep you in the safest bike lanes on every route.
When renting a bicycle, make sure the rental includes a lock, helmets and/or water bottle. Most bike tour options include these, but you’ll have to check with bike rental companies if exploring on your own. You may want to bring these things from home if they don’t.
If you choose a hotel with free bicycle option, confirm in advance the hotel will have a bicycle for you when you want to use it. Some are only offered during certain hours and some are first come, first served

Using Citi Bike in New York City

If you actually want to explore NYC, then Citi Bike is probably not the way to go. Citi Bike is geared for daily commuters, as the rental fees only allow you 30 minutes at a time, which just is not enough to take advantage of biking Central Park or the West Side Highway, two of the best bike routes in Manhattan.

Citi Bike in New York City

Additionally, Citi Bike does not provide helmets or water. You won’t have to worry about a lock, since you just return the bike to a Citi Bike station. However, should you want to use the Citi Bike option for a quick ride, they have a great app that lets you see where bikes are available to take out and return.

Five Boro Bike Tour (by TD Bank)

NYC Five Boro Bike Tour

First Sunday in May

Watch or ride with over 32,000 cyclists spinning 42 miles through all five NYC boroughs, ending in Staten Island, where a fun outdoor Festival awaits. See bike demos, a mountain bike stunt show, food, product samples, massage and more.

More Info: NYC Five Boro Bike Tour

NYC Biking Coming Soon

Itineraries and Routes
Where to eat along the West Side Highway

Until Then: www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/bike-new-york

Fun Things to do in New York in Spring

How are You going to Tour New York City?

Best NYC Attractions Pass for Tours

	Sightseeing Pass	New York Pass	Go New York	CityPASS

HOHO Bus	✔ Unlimited	✔ 1 Day ✔ The RIDE	✔ 1 Day ✔ Night Tour ✔ The RIDE
Cruises	✔ Circle Line ✔ 5+ Cruises	✔ Circle Line ✔ Clipper City	✔ Circle Line ✔ 5+ Cruises	✔ Circle Line or Statue of Liberty
Food Tours	✔ 10+ Food on Foot	✔ 10+ Food on Foot	✔ 10+ Food on Foot
Movie & TV	✔ 3+ On Location	✔ East Village, Central Park ✔ Marvel & DC Superheroes ✔ Seinfeld	✔ Marvel & DC Superheroes ✔ When Harry Met Seinfeld
Walking Tours	✔ 20+ Choices	✔ 10+ Choices	✔ 10+ Choices
Shopping Tours	✔ Fashion Windows ✔ Macy's Historical ✔ Woodbury Common Outlets Bus	✔ Fashion Windows ✔ Holiday Markets & Lights ✔ Woodbury Common Outlets Bus	✔ Fashion Windows ✔ Woodbury Common Outlets Bus