The 6 Best Bike Rides In And Around New York City
April 17, 2013, 2:54 p.m.
There are plenty of long, spectacular and scenic rides in and around the city to remind you that sometimes the best part of going from point A to point B is the journey itself.
When the city's first bike-share program prepares to kick off next month, NYC will take it to the next level as a formidably bike-friendly town, to the joy of many (and chagrin of a few). And while CitiBike aims to be a commuters' tool over a recreational one, there are plenty of long, spectacular and scenic rides in and around the city to remind you that sometimes the best part of going from point A to point B is the journey itself, especially when that journey doesn't involve spending a lot of time underground with this guy. Here are a few of our favorite rides; as always, leave yours in the comments.
CARROLL GARDENS TO CONEY ISLAND: Ocean Parkway was home to the United States' first bike path, way back in the pre-Steve Cuozzo year of 1894. Some of the Parkway was killed in the 1970s to make room for the Prospect Expressway, but you can still ride the mostly tree-lined path, which is separated from the pedestrian path, from Prospect Park to Coney Island. Head over to the park from Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens for a quiet brownstone tour, then hit Ocean Parkway and keep on going until you hit Boardwalk mainstay Ruby's Bar & Grill for a beer. Just watch out while riding through Midwood and Borough Park; you might find pedestrians walking three or four abreast through the bike path, so exercise caution.
The Ocean Parkway bike path runs from Ocean Parkway and East 8th Street in Kensington, Brooklyn all the way down to Surf Avenue in Coney Island.
HUDSON RIVER GREENWAY: This long strip of smooth paved bike path lining the Hudson River is a favorite among city cyclists, with a fully-protected route guiding riders from Battery Park City all the way up to the George Washington Bridge. The route can get a little clogged with joggers and pedestrians by the Intrepid and cruise ships in Midtown, but it's mostly smooth sailing through Chelsea, and once you've made it up to the Boat Basin in the '70s the traffic thins out. For maximum enjoyment in the summer, try to knock off a few hours early on a Friday to avoid weekend congestion.
Otherwise, the ride offers marvelous views, plus if you make it to the little red lighthouse by the GWB, you can stop at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on 125th Street to fuel up for the ride back; they've got bike racks out front, and if the joint's too crowded you can take your food out and picnic on the grass by the river. And for the truly adventurous/fit/masochistic, you can ride all the way up to Inwood and take in some medieval tapestries and outdoor bliss at the Cloisters while you rest your weary gluteus maximus.
The Hudson River Greenway's bike path runs 11 miles continuously from Battery Park City up to the George Washington Bridge.
GOVERNORS ISLAND: In addition to boasting dozens of arts and culture events in the spring and summer, Governors Island is one of the best car-free places to bike in the area. Though the bike loop doesn't go around the whole island (at least not yet), it'll still take you through tree-lined trails, past grandiose mansions and old army barracks and by dazzling views of Lower Manhattan and the NY Harbor. Both the East River Ferry and free Governors Island ferries accommodate bikes, but you can also rent single and tandem bikes from kiosks on the island, plus they offer free one-hour rentals on holiday Mondays.
Governors Island is open in the summer on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays; visit govisland.com for details.
These Bronx River Path-crossers are almost as bad as pedestrians! (Courtesy blitzkriegflop's flickr)
BRONX RIVER PATH: For a more natural, woodsy ride, this paved pathway runs adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway, from the city's northern limits up through Westchester. If you're not coming from the Bronx and want to save yourself a wicked ride to the trail's start, you can take Metro-North up to Mount Vernon West; purchase a $5 bike pass at Grand Central to bring your wheels along. The path kicks off on Oak Street in Mount Vernon, where you can ride through lush scenery, under bridges and along the riverbank. It runs in three segments: a one-mile loop near Oak Street in Mount Vernon; a 3.6-mile section from Bronxville to Scarsdale and a 5-mile section from Hartsdale to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, and intermittent Metro-North stations line the pathway in case you need to make a quick exit out of suburbia.
The Bronx River Path runs from Oak Street and Sherwood Ave in Mount Vernon, Westchester up to Kenisco Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
PULASKI TO WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE: Our own Christopher Robbins dubbed this one the Superfund to Superthighs ride a while back (new name: NoBroSlow), and it'll take you on a scenic tour of North Brooklyn all the way from Long Island City to the Lower East Side. Head down commercial Manhattan Ave until you hit residential Noble Street— from there, you can ride to Lorimer and head to McCarren Park for a quick loop before meandering down Driggs Ave, or you can bypass the park and ride the Kent Ave bike path all the way down to the Williamsburg Bridge at South 5th Street over into the Lower East Side. Either way, you'll get stellar views of the Manhattan skyline, a solid dual bridge workout and a possible pit-stop at that new closet you rented to store your spare tires.
The NoBroSlow ride kicks off at the Pulaski Bridge in Long Island City, Queens and ends on Delancey Street on the Lower East Side.
View of Breezy Point from The Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge (John Del Signore / Gothamist)
ROCKAWAYS RIDE The beaches at Fort Tilden won't reopen this summer because of damage from Hurricane Sandy, but the beaches at Jacob Riis, located next door, will reopen, as well as parts of Rockaway beach. I like to take my bike on the bike on the B/Q line to the Sheepshead Bay / East 16 Street station (at Avenue Z). From there, it's about a 7 mile bike ride, first through relatively quiet residential streets, then on a bike path along the beaches, and finally over the Marine Parkway Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge; head left once you're off the bridge to head to Jacob Riis. If you want to press further and get some tacos, it's another couple of miles to Rockaway Beach from there.
Alternatively, you can bike to Rockaway Beach after exploring the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. (On this Sunday, which is supposed to be lovely, you can join an Earth Day Bike Ride to the wildlife refuge.) If you don't want to exhaust yourself completely, lug your bike on the A train to Howard Beach and cut over to Cross Bay Boulevard, which takes you across the bay via two bridges. The wildlife refuge is roughly at the midway point, so after some peaceful birdwatching, you can complete the journey to the beach—this route lets you off right by Beach 94th Street. (John Del Signore)
Our less strenuous Rockaways Ride starts either at the B/Q stop at Sheepshead Bay / East 16 Street (make a pit stop at the fun El Greco diner) or at the Howard Beach A stop, depending on your interest in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. You can also do a loop if you're feeling extra ambitious.