Get in gear

Battery Park City Promenade

New York begs to be explored at street level, but walking will only take you so far. With cycling now a popular commuting option, the city is becoming more bike-friendly by the day. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a 32-mile route that circumnavigates the isle of Manhattan, is a fantastic asset: You can now ride uninterrupted along the Hudson River, on the West Side, from Battery Park up to the George Washington Bridge, at 178th Street. And the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has made a commitment to complete 200 miles of on-street bike lanes this year alone. The not-for-profit cycling-advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (transalt.org) has downloadable maps on its website. Be warned: If you venture off designated paths, big city biking isn’t for the faint-hearted. Riders must stay alert and abide by traffic laws, especially since drivers and pedestrians often don’t. These easy rides will help you build up your confidence.

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