| Ask the average non-New Yorker what they think | | | | Park in Queens. If you have a mountain or trail bike, |
| about bike riding in New York City and you'll probably | | | | you can find challenging ascending trails that take you |
| get an answer that centers around how displeasing | | | | up somewhat steep slopes littered with rocks, |
| that would be as you must have to weave | | | | exposed roots, and other rough terrain. When you're |
| dangerously through the traffic-filled streets and | | | | on these trails you would never know you were in |
| crowd-filled sidewalks of Manhattan. Well, based on | | | | New York City! |
| my recent biking outing in the Big Apple, I can assure | | | | Finally, Central Park and even Prospect Park are huge |
| you biking in NYC is nothing of the sort. Great bike | | | | areas for recreational bike riding. You can ride on your |
| riding opportunities abound in the greater New York | | | | own or take part in guided tours of the parks. Not only |
| metro area and this article highlights a few them. | | | | that, these parks even have designated hours of the |
| Many probably do not realize that both Manhattan and | | | | week in which vehicles are not allowed making the |
| Brooklyn have actually become a riding haven for | | | | parks a virtual biker's paradise. I also find out that if you |
| bicycle enthusiasts with specially constructed bike | | | | are not able to get your own bike into the city, you can |
| paths throughout the city. These paths, or Greenways, | | | | visit the bike shops in the areas around the parks and |
| are made for bikers with safety a top priority, providing | | | | rent a bike for a few hours or a full day. It's great |
| separation from nearby traffic. For example, you get | | | | knowing that New York City actually has an |
| to ride along many of the most scenic areas in easy | | | | infrastructure in place that actually promotes bike riding. |
| rides that parallel the East River. These paths can also | | | | So as you can see, New York City offers many |
| lead you nicely to shopping areas, the numerous parks | | | | opportunities for bikers to travel throughout the city on |
| in the city, and to museums if you wish to take in | | | | their bike either as a primary means of transportation |
| these attractions on two wheels. | | | | or just for fun. If you go, be sure to head to a bike |
| In addition, there are plenty of places in the city that | | | | shop first where you can pick up a free map showing |
| take you off road. This is great because local laws | | | | all the places you can ride. You will then be set for |
| prohibit you from riding off trail so as to protect the | | | | both simple easy rides or more challenging ones that |
| many fragile open areas that exist in the city. One | | | | will give you a good workout. New York offers riding |
| example of a great place where you can do some | | | | opportunities for riders of all levels of skill and physical |
| "off roading" is the mountain biking trails in Manhattan's | | | | condition. So get out there and ride New York! |
| Highbridge Park. Other trails like this are in Cunningham | | | | |