nyc city bike tour

Five Boro Bike Tour Map

About the five boro bike tour.

On the first Sunday in May, 32,000 cyclists of all skill levels come from around the world to roll through every borough of New York City on streets totally free of cars. For one day, the roads are yours, the bridges are yours, the City is yours—there’s no better way to experience the Big Apple. Produced in conjunction with the City of New York, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is the world’s biggest charitable bike ride, with proceeds funding our free bike education programs. In 2014 alone, we taught bike skills to more than 16,000 kids and adults. When you ride with Bike New York, you’re helping us in our mission to empower more New Yorkers to grab life by the handlebars. via bike.nyc

Five Boro Bike Tour History

The event began on June 10, 1977 as the Five Boro Challenge with about 250 participants. The original tour was 50 miles long and started and ended in Queens. What started as a one-time event became a tradition the next year when the New York City Mayor Ed Koch embraced the idea of a city-wide bike tour. The distance was shortened and the word “challenge” was changed to “tour” to make the event more appealing to the general public. That year, the number of participants increased tenfold to around 3000. via wikipedia

• 2018 5 Boro Bike Tour Info
• 5 Boro Bike Tour Map for Google Earth
• Official Bike New York 5 Boro Bike Tour site
• Street Closures: How to avoid the 5 Boro Bike Tour

Five Boro Bike Tour takes over NYC: See map and road closures

More than 32,000 cyclists are expected to join in for the biggest charitable bike ride in the world, according to the organization's site., by nbc new york staff • published may 3, 2024 • updated on may 5, 2024 at 12:48 pm.

Planning on spending Sunday outside, or at least moving about the city? You'll have to dodge more than just raindrops.

The Five Boro Bike Tour will be making its way through New York City. The 40-mile route starts in lower Manhattan, going up Sixth Avenue into Central Park and through Harlem before crossing over into the Bronx briefly. It then comes back onto FDR Drive, crosses the Queensboro Bridge and into Long Island City.

Next is a trip across the Pulaski Bridge into Greenpoint before going onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Gowanus Parkway. From there, the tour hits the Verrazzano Bridge and into Staten Island. The finish is at Fort Wadsworth.

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It all kicks off at the intersection of Franklin Street and Church Street at 7:30 a.m., though participants in Wave 1 should probably be there before that time. Waves 2-6 then go off between 8:05 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. Participants will be crossing the finish line at Fort Wadsworth between 10 a.m. and noon.

More than 32,000 cyclists are expected to join in for the biggest charitable bike ride in the world, according to the organization's site. So no matter what, all drivers and anyone trying to move about the city should expect to see some delays in area near the bike route.

Five Boro Bike Tour Route Map:

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Where each wave will begin in lower manhattan:.

Road Closures:

Here is a list of roads that will be closed to traffic due to the bike tour, according to the city's Department of Transportation.

Manhattan Portion:

• Greenwich Street between Battery Place and Morris Street
• Trinity Place between Morris Street and Liberty Street
• Church Street between Liberty Street and Canal Street
• Chambers Street between Broadway and West Broadway
• Worth Street between Broadway and West Broadway
• Canal Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between Franklin Street and West 59th Street
• West 59th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Grand Army Plaza between West 59th Street and East Drive
• East Drive between Grand Army Plaza and Center Drive
• Center Drive between 5th Avenue and East Drive
• East Drive between Center Drive and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard
• Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard between West 110th Street and West 135th Street
• East / West 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Madison Avenue
• Madison Avenue between East 135th Street and East 138th Street
• Madison Avenue Bridge (Bronx-bound)

Bronx Portion:

• 138th Street between Madison Avenue Bridge and 3rd Avenue
• 3rd Avenue between 138th Street and 3rd Avenue Bridge
• Rider Avenue between 138th Street and 137th Street
• 137th Street between Rider Avenue and 3rd Avenue
• 3rd Avenue Bridge (Manhattan-bound)

Manhattan Portion (Continued):

• Harlem River Drive / FDR Drive (Southbound) between 3rd Avenue Bridge and East 116th Street
• East 116th Street between FDR Drive and Pleasant Avenue
• Pleasant Avenue between East 116th Street and East 114th Street
• Harlem River Drive / FDR Drive (Southbound) between 116th Street and 63rd Street Exit
• East 63rd Street between FDR Drive (Southbound) and Queensboro Bridge Exit
• Queensboro Bridge Exit between East 63rd Street and East 60th Street
• Queensboro Bridge Upper Level (Manhattan-bound)

Queens Portion:

• 21st Street between Queens Plaza South and Hoyt Avenue North
• Queens Plaza South between 21st Street and Vernon Boulevard / Alternate Route
• Hoyt Avenue North between 21st Street and 19th Street
• 19th Street between Hoyt Avenue North and Ditmars Boulevard
• Ditmars Boulevard between 19th Street and Shore Boulevard
• Shore Boulevard between Ditmars Boulevard and Astoria Park South
• Astoria Park South between Shore Boulevard and 14th Street
• 14th Street between Astoria Park South and 31st Avenue
• 31st Avenue between 14th Street and Vernon Boulevard
• Vernon Boulevard between 31st Avenue and 44th Drive
• 44th Drive between Vernon Boulevard and 11th Street
• 11th Street between 44th Drive and Pulaski Bridge
• Pulaski Bridge (Brooklyn-bound)

Brooklyn Portion:

• McGuiness Boulevard between Pulaski Bridge and Greenpoint Avenue
• Java Street between McGuinness Boulevard and Franklin Street
• Greenpoint Avenue between McGuinness Boulevard and Franklin Street
• Franklin Street between Java Street and North 14th Street
• Kent Avenue between North 14th Street and Williamsburg Street West
• Williamsburg Street West between Kent Avenue and Flushing Avenue
• Flushing Avenue between Williamsburg Street West and Navy Street
• North Elliot Place between Flushing Avenue and Park Avenue
• Navy Street between Flushing Avenue and York Street
• York Street between Navy Street and Gold Street
• Gold Street between York Street and Front Street
• Front Street between Gold Street and Old Fulton Street
• Old Fulton between Furman Street and Prospect Street
• Cadman Plaza West between Prospect Street and Tillary Street
• Tillary Street between Cadman Plaza West and Adams Street
• Brooklyn Bridge Promenade between Tillary Street and Centre Street
• Furman Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
• Atlantic Avenue between Furman Street and Columbia Street
• Columbia Street between Atlantic Avenue and BQE West Entrance Columbia Street
• BQE / Gowanus Expressway between BQE West Entrance Columbia Street and Verrazano
• Verrazano Bridge Lower Level (Staten Island-bound)

Staten Island Portion:

• Bay Street between New York Avenue and Hylan Boulevard
• Hylan Boulevard between Bay Street and Edgewater Street
• Edgewater Street/ Front Street between Hylan Boulevard and Hannah Street
• Hannah Street between Front Street and Bay Street
• Bay Street between Hannah Street and Richmond Terrace
• Richmond Terrace between Bay Street and Nicholas Street Wall Street between Richmond Terrace and Dead End3

Bridge and Tunnel Closings

The Staten Island-bound lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will be closed from 2:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, the MTA said. Additionally, because the BQE and Gowanus Expressway will be closed in part as well, traffic won't be able to access the bridge via that approach from about 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

According to the MTA, other closings for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will include:

• One Brooklyn-bound lane on the lower level from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
• The Bay St exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
• The 92nd St entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
• The Belt Parkway entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
• The Lily Pond Av exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

The exit ramp for the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the southbound FDR Drive will be closed from around 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Traffic will have to exit the RFK Bridge by using the Second Avenue-East 125th Street ramp.

The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to the westbound Gowanus Expressway and BQE will be closed from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with exiting traffic diverted to Hamilton Avenue. The Trinity Place exit in Manhattan will also be closed from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the MTA.

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The 5 best bike tours in NYC

From a quick ride across the bridge to a day-long Central Park trek, here are the best bike tours NYC has to offer

Photograph: Whitney Lawson

For those looking to experience New York City like the locals, hop on two wheels and join one of the best bike tours NYC has to offer. There are lots on offer but we've whittled down the best – we think you're going to like them. And yeah sure, the best walking tours  may allow you to take your time and the NYC bus tours may cover more ground, but bicycle tours are an ideal way for first-time visitors to explore a specific area or see the top New York attractions at their own pace. From a breezy ride down the idyllic Brooklyn waterfront to a cruise through Central Park, our guide rounds up the best bike tours in NYC for every mood and budget. We would say they are all wheelie good but that would be lame. Enjoy!

RECOMMENDED: 📍Full guide to NYC tours and walks 🏨Check out the best hotels in NYC 🗽Don't miss out on the best things to do in NYC

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best NYC bike tours

1.  from manhattan: 2-hour brooklyn bridge bike tour.

This one's a cracker – and not just for fans of bridges, of which we guess there are a few knocking around. Anyway, you'll ride across two iconic New York bridges in this three-hour tour. Kicking off in DUMBO, you'll travel from Brooklyn to China Town, gliding along the East River and stopping in the South Port Sea, City Hall Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Finally, the tour winds up in Brooklyn Heights, where you'll find a wealth of shops and eateries to head to post-tour. And you'll have totally earned that reward you know.

Time Out tip: Biking around the city is enjoyable overall and the guides are really good at filling you in on the history of the neighborhood. The only downside is that you don't get to see the whole bridge, so it's worth a second trip on foot if you want a closer look. 

2.  Small-Group Central Park Bike Tour

You might already know this fun fact but, fun fact:  Central Park spans a whopping 2.5 miles from 59th Street to 110th Street, making it quite a trek on foot. Luckily, you can pedal your way through a good number of the park’s famed attractions in just two hours during this tour. Stops include the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, the Dakota, Cleopatra’s Needle and the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Time Out tip:  The tour is capped at just eight to provide a more personalized guided experience. Which is of course wonderful but does mean you also need to reserve your spot early.

3.  Brooklyn Bridge Guided Bike Tour

Did you know that Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city’s most popular biking destinations? Well, it is. And you'll find out why on this excellent bike tour. Your guide will take you on a quick spin around the southern tip of Manhattan before leading you into the City Hall area and then up onto the bridge. Once you hit the bridge tower on the Brooklyn side, you’ll be able to turn back towards Manhattan to snap photos of the Statue of Liberty, the port of Brooklyn and Manhattan’s Financial District. Dreamy Insta stuff.

Time-out tip: The pace of this tour makes it a great family activity, especially if you have teens. 

4.  New York at Night Bike Tour

Sightseeing in New York City doesn’t stop after sunset—this is the city that never sleeps, after all. Make the most of your evening on a bike tour of Midtown’s most dazzling lights. After meeting your guide at Columbus Circle, you’ll pedal south past Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, the Empire State Building and other iconic landmarks that light up the city skyline.   Again, great for Insta, people.

Time Out tip: Back at the meeting point you'll find the Burger Joint. A bit naughty after a bike ride, but well deserved. 

5.  New York Highlights Bike Tour

Another Manhattan-based tour, only this one is three hours long in total and sees you cruising along with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, then takes you up the Hudson Greenway, before swinging by the iconic Highline and Chinatown. After such a long but leisurely morning head to Time Out Market because, despite the shameless plug the food actually slaps, as do the views of Brooklyn Bridge from here. 

Time Out tip: If you're headed to NYC in July, first of all, lather up that sunscreen and pray for AC, and second of all you've got to capture Manhattanhenge in Midtown. 

Looking for more cycling fun?

The best cycling day trips from nyc.

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From small-scale local rides to the world’s biggest charitable bike ride, there’s something for everyone—and the best part about it is that all proceeds from Bike New York events help to fund our free bike education programs .

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR!

The Virtual TD Five Boro Bike Tour is back and joined this year by virtual versions of our regional Discover Hudson Valley Ride and Twin Lights Ride! Bike through New York City car-free, and enjoy the landscapes of the Hudson Valley and rural and coastal New Jersey, all from home this winter.

NEW DATE:  Saturday, July 13, 2024

Local Rides

Small-scale community rides in and around NYC showcasing some of our favorite routes and destinations. 

Our Local Rides are casual small-scale events geared toward bringing cyclists of all skill levels together to discover NYC. Sign up by yourself or with some friends—either way, you’ll have a blast!

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NEW YORK CITY HIGHLIGHTS BIKE TOUR

Approximately 3 hours

From  €60

The Highlights of New York City

Seeing New York has never been easier! Join us for a leisurely ride through upper and lower Manhattan and experience all of the famous sites of the Big Apple. Our local guides will point out all the highlights, the hidden gems, and help you see it all in just three hours.

Starting in our office in lower Manhattan, we’ll set out northbound through Soho.  We’ll ride through the historic neighborhood at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, an area which lends itself to amazing views.  You will be able to take in the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park before continuing on towards Herald Square where we’ll see the Highline.  We’ll continue on past plenty of New York City Highlights, stopping to chat about the more famous ones such as Times Square, Broadway avenue, and of course, Central Park.

You will have the opportunity to ride the famous streets, such as the avenue where the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place.  See the marquis’ for the current Broadway Shows, and navigate seamlessly through the hustle and bustle of New York City with your local guide and the safest possible route.  At the end of the tour, you will have checked off a number of highlights in a short amount of time. This tour ends at our Harlem office which is within walking distance of Central Park; perfect for a post-tour stroll. It’s the best way to see all the sites and learn about them in a half-day!

Tour Details

What’s included.

• Experienced local guide
• A comfortable bike
• Helmet (mandatory)

Good to Know

• This is a great tour for kids, however we cannot use trailers or tag-along bikes on this tour, so we ask that all participating children be confident solo riders. All tours run rain or shine.

• 1 The Highline
• 2 The Brooklyn Bridge
• 3 Herald Square
• 4 Times Square
• 5 The Lincoln Center
• 6 One World Trade Center
• 7 Views of the Statue of Liberty
• 8 Battery Park

MEETING POINT

This tour departs from 79 Chambers Street, New York, 10007.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important information, where is the meeting point.

This tour departs from our new location at 79 Chambers Street, New York, 10007.

What is your cancellation policy?

We’re happy to offer free changes and 100% refund up to 24 hours before tour* Failure to cancel a reservation  at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure  may result in forfeited travel funds. Fare difference may apply.

*See restrictions here

Do we go inside the museums and monuments?

We unfortunately do not have time on this tour to enter any of the monuments or museums that we’ll see. Your guide will give you plenty of helpful hints to go back and dive a bit deeper into the areas of the city that interest you most following the tour.

How long is this tour?

This tour is a leisurely three-hour ride. We will cover approximately 14.5 miles/23 kilometers.

Where is the ending point?

We have designed this tour so as to show you the best of NYC with no repeats, because this is a big place and you don’t have time to waste!  This tour will end at 56 W 56th Street.

What's included in the tour?

Apart from our local, knowledgeable, and personable guides we also include the helmets, bike bags, a bicycle chain lock, and full color illustrated map with the key attractions included. We want you to enjoy the tour and also be able to easily go back and see your favorite sites again afterwards!

Will we be riding in traffic?

New York City has created dozens of bike lanes in recent years, so we will privilege these when available. When we do need to cross the road or merge with traffic, we will do so safely and after explaining our exact maneuver. We have taken care to organize a route that is safe for all confident riders.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes! This is a great way to get kids engaged with NYC and safely show them around. We have a variety of Cannondale bikes for all ages/levels of riders. We unfortunately cannot use trailers or tag-along bikes on this tour, so we do ask that all children participating are able to confidently ride their own bike. If your children are smaller, our Central Park Bike Tour would be a great alternative. Please note that all minors must be accompanied by an adult while on tour.

Is water included or can I purchase some before the tour?

We advise guests to purchase water before arriving at the meeting point as we do not have any for sale on site.

Can I store my luggage at your shop during the tour?

Unfortunately this tour finishes in a separate location from the starting point, so it will not save you time to store your luggage in our office.

Explore our preferred partners around the world.

• Central Park Bike Tour
• VIP Bike Tour Central Park
• De Luxe Bike Tour
• Pedicab Tour Big Loop
• Pedicab Tour Regular Loop
• Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour
• Manhattan Tour
• Walking Tour
• Picnic tour
• Central Park Map

Central Park Bike Tours

Bike Tours Central Park is a tour operator offering guided pedicab and bike tours in Central park and Manhattan, New York City. Our trips are customizable and we offer several tour options. The starting point is at 56 St and Broadway. We strive to deliver a personalized service that will satisfy all the sightseeing tourists’ needs and make your Central park tours an unforgettable event that you will always remember.

New York City’s Central park is a remarkable piece of land situated in the heart of Manhattan which contrasts with the urban atmosphere and at the same time represents New York’s diversity and dynamics. It is a tremendous place where various cultures meet and interact with each other, a place where New Yorkers feel the nature’s harmony and energy. Lots of activities happen here and you will be surprised to find out how different they are. We will provide the help of our experienced tour guides in order to discover every interesting spot Central park has to offer.

Call +1 (201) 220-5588

Best sellers.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Our Central park bike tour covers all the highlights and beautiful spots. Central Park Bike Tour

Private VIP Bike Tour

• If you prefer to have privacy, we will organize a special guided tour that will suit your requirements.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Our De Luxe bike tour offers the ultimate sightseeing experience in Central park. De Luxe Bike Tour
• This pedicab tour covers the whole Central Park territory. Apart from the highlights that can be seen.

TripAdvisor

Central Park Bikes Reviews on TripAdvisor

About the Central Park Tours

We are trying to deliver the ultimate New York experience for our customers and show them the beauties hidden inside. Our interaction with people from all the continents helps us in creating the best sightseeing services. Central Park Bikes will make sure the tours will exceed your expectation and leave wonderful memories that you will always get back to.

Having a schedule is the best way to discover all the highlights in New York. We know that the city cannot be explored in a couple of days and that’s why reserving your Central park tour online will suit your schedule perfectly. Every second that you spend in New York is precious and you must live it to the fullest. Our website is going to guide and assist you in picking up the most suitable option. Take a look!

Our main tour guide, Tony, will meet you at 58th Street and Broadway, Manhattan, zip code 10019, in front of Argo Tea Cafe. This is just a block away from Central park and is overlooking Columbus Circle.

Tony has been working for Central Park Bikes since 2009 delivering the best guided tours according to our review records . His tours are informative, funny and allow plenty of time for exploring and taking pictures of the main highlights.

More than....

Tour packages, central park tours and manhattan, central park bikes & central park wed, frequently asked questions by our customers, great park tour.

Fun, informative and a great fir for our family of 4! Plenty of stops for side trips and photos, and a great way to learn more about the park and city.

Great way to see Central Park

A bike tour was a lovely way to see the park. It allowed you to see more than you would have on foot, and some of the areas that are less touristy. Our tour guide was Sergio, he was great. Very knowledgeable of the park and the surrounding buildings. This tour was a highlight of our

Great bike tour of Central Park

Tony is the man. Our guide Tony greeted us promptly and got us outfitted with our bikes. The bikes were in good working condition and we felt safe at all times. Tony was a wealth of information about the park and the surrounding area. He was professional & very friendly. He answered all our

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56 Street and Broadway, New York City, 10019 

Phone: (201) 220-5588 Open 9AM - 8PM 365 days

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8 Best Bike Tours in NYC

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New York City is big, bustling and attracts millions of visitors every year. But with so many tourists and lots of world-famous things to do in NYC , the streets can get a little crowded. Why not opt for one of the  best bike tours in NYC instead?

Take a look at my  top picks below, focusing on different areas in New York. Whether you want to see famous landmarks in Manhattan, hidden gems in Harlem and the Bronx or street art in Brooklyn, these top 3 best bike tours in NYC have you covered. Or, scroll down and keep reading to discover more bike tours in NYC.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• bike tours in NYC

1 – NYC Harlem and Bronx Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 4 reviews )

“If you want to see Harlem and the Bronx and get the real feel if the cities, people, culture and the history this is the tour to go on.” David. Viator

Overflowing with history and culture – yet still often overlooked due to their somewhat out-of-the-way location – Harlem and the Bronx are undeniably fascinating neighborhoods to explore.

Sure, they’re both big in size (which makes for a bounty of notable sights), but that’s exactly why hopping onto a bike and pedaling your way around with Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours is such an excellent idea.

This 25-mile Harlem and Bronx adventure takes you through these diverse communities, unraveling their fascinating past and present. And with landmarks along the way — Yankee Stadium, Strivers’ Row, and the Apollo Theater (to name a few) — you can expect myriad photo ops!

Summary of the tour:

• 25-mile (40-km) route through tucked-away neighborhoods and parks
• 6-hour bike tour in a small group (max. 8 participants)
• Helmet, high quality bike and guide included
• Admission to Hall of Fame for Great Americans, Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, United Palace and Riverbank State Park included
• book this bike tour

If you’re an adventurous tourist looking for a unique way to explore NYC, away from the run-of-the-mill sites, then this bike tour might just be the perfect option.

The average tourist would never see most of the fascinating spots visited on this tour. Robbie and the team make you feel so welcome as well. 100% recommend it!

2 – Brooklyn Street Art Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 2 reviews )

“We came to places you would normally never come. Nice group and fun guide. Our most enjoyable experience in NYC.” Maria. Viator

While you can snap those cliché photos at the Brooklyn Bridge, to really get under the skin of this dynamic and energetic borough, a behind-the-scenes street art adventure — like that run by Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours — is the way to go.

Led by street art aficionados, you’ll pedal through the vibrant enclaves of Williamsburg, Bushwick, Fort Greene and DUMBO, taking in colorful murals, graffiti art and hidden gems that only locals know about (until now).

As you check off notable installations like the Brooklyn Navy Yard exhibitions and the old Domino Sugar Factory, your guides will wax insights into the history and influences behind Brooklyn’s thriving street art scene. It’s not only a Brooklyn must-do, it’s one of the top things to do on Long Island , period.

Summary of the tour: 

• Enjoy Brooklyn’s street art on a small-group bike tour (max. 8 participants)
• Visit Bushwick and Brooklyn Navy Yard BLDG 92 and enjoy views of the Brooklyn Bridge
• Pass by Fort Greene Park, Domino Park and Dumbo
• Helmet and bike included
• check offer

Something a little different from the usual bike tours of New York City, this Brooklyn Street Art Bike Tour shines a spotlight on an underrated, stunning part of the local culture.

While the focus is on the art, the fact that you get to see some fantastic views of the city as well makes it a superb option!

• street art bike tours in NYC

3 – Bike Tour of Manhattan: Radical & Weird History of NYC

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 8 reviews )

“Riding a bike in New York is much more relaxed than you might think. You don’t get stuck in traffic, you move quickly and you get to see a lot in a short time. Robby designed the tour according to our wishes.” Laura. Getyourguide

Manhattan-based bike tours are a dime a dozen. But only Freewheelin’ Bike Tours combine your classic sightseeing experience with a dramatic walk through history, focusing on the weird, the wonderful and the wacky traits that make New York City so unique.

Diving into local history (think: underground movements, the mob) and the contrasting neighborhood personalities, this 8-person bike tour delves deep into Manhattan’s very storied past.

Besides learning a bunch about the city’s most famous borough, you’ll also get to snap iconic photos at the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park (to name a few).

• 4-hour bike tour of Manhattan
• Small group (max. 8 participants)
• See the famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street and Central Park
• Bike and guide included
• Food and drinks included

The history, the sights, the tour guide (Robby and co.) are all amazing! You get to see so many different aspects of New York in just a few hours, but it definitely doesn’t feel rushed.

Plus, since the tour is capped at just 8 people, you get a much more intimate and personalized experience compared to larger group tours. 10/10!

4 – Highlights of Central Park Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5 ( 405 reviews )

“An extraordinary visit where we discover Central Park with breaks punctuated by anecdotes, history, superb places where we can take photos.” Lecourieux. getyourguide

As the world’s most famous urban green space, sticking out like a sore thumb from the surrounding concrete jungle, Central Park is a non-negotiable for any tourist — especially those looking for cheap things to do in New York City .

With the Unlimited Biking crew, you’ll get to tick off the most famous things to do in Central Park like the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and Bow Bridge ; as well as plenty of lesser-known treasures (including movie-famous landmarks).

And for the cherry on top, as you pass spots like the Belvedere Castle and the Imagine Mosaic , you’ll hear all about the man-made park’s unique history and design too.

• check this tour

No trip to New York is complete without exploring Central Park, the city’s famous green oasis — and this Unlimited Biking tour is without a doubt one of the best ways to do exactly that.

The guides share anecdotes about the history and hidden gems of the park, and they’re happy to be photographers too! Definitely recommended!

Read more: Best NYC city tours

5 – Highlights of Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.1/5 ( 600 reviews )

“The Brooklyn Bridge tour was a wonderful adventure! Our tour guide, Eddie, has an impressive knowledge of the city and sights along this route” Jean. Google review

Move over, Manhattan! As what many consider to be the frontrunner for New York’s art, food and culture, Brooklyn invites locals and tourists alike with an eccentric combination of all three.

Showing off the most celebrated things to do in Brooklyn , the Unlimited Biking highlight tour whisks you out of Manhattan toward the city’s most populous borough, where you’ll end up at picture-perfect spots like DUMBO, the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights .

With several panoramic viewpoints en route, and myriad stories about how this dynamic neighborhood has gentrified, you’ll get to experience a whole new side of the Big Apple.

The Unlimited crew are incredibly welcoming. And not only do they show you some of the best sights in Brooklyn, they’re also happy to answer any questions.

Manhattan has its draws, but no trip to NYC is complete without a visit over the East River to Brooklyn. Worth doing!

6 – Electric Bike Tour of Manhattan and the Waterfront Greenway

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 81 reviews )

“We were amazed at how easy it is to bicycle around NYC. Bob made it feel so accessible while teaching us new things at every turn.” Sheryn. Viator

Combining all the highlights of Central Park , the Hudson River Greenway and the West Village, this popular bike tour invites you to check off a handful of the best things to do in Manhattan without breaking a sweat — that’s the beauty of having an electric bike.

With a particular focus on green spaces, the leisurely adventure promises a relaxed change of pace from the typically chaotic city streets while still knocking off fascinating landmarks like Grant’s tomb and Columbia University .

Plus, the Unlimited Biking guides are friendly, knowledgeable about NYC history and landmarks, and will have you laughing along the way.

A very comprehensive tour of Central Park and some amazing sightseeing along the Hudson too!

The guides (Morgan, Bob, Dan and co.) keep a good pace and provide awesome updates about the landmarks. Even if you’re not overly fit, it’s a must-do.

7 – A Day in Manhattan Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 29 reviews )

“Learning new facts about ny and getting a little exercise to bootl. Weather was perfect and guide was really cool and knowledgeable.” John. Viator

Showing off a concoction of all the city’s finest sights, from the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan to the peaceful oasis of Central Park , with culture-rich enclaves like Little Italy thrown in, this Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours bike tour serves as the ideal way to get the lay of the land for NYC’s most famous borough.

Led by friendly, Manhattanite locals, you’ll spend a day ticking off some of the best places to visit in New York City — the diverse neighborhoods of Soho and the West Village , and iconic landmarks like Wall Street and the historic South Street Seaport area.

Definitely one of the more complete Manhattan bike tours, this activity is a fantastic way to explore the city by bike and hit all of the must-see spots.

Besides seeing so many iconic landmarks, Tom, Josh, John and the guides keep it interesting with wonderful stories throughout the entire ride. Highly recommended!

8 – NYC Central Park Bicycle Rentals

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 269 reviews )

“Great and easy, right across the street from Central Park! The staff was nice and helped us with everything we needed .” Kelsey. Viator

Guided bike tours are fantastic — you get to learn the ins and outs from a local’s perspective. But sometimes, you just want to explore on your own terms — peddle down that unknown street, snap selfies at quirky landmarks, even pause for a little picnic.

That independence is what you get with a Fancy Apple bike rental . Headquartered at Central Park, you can ride around at your own pace, checking out spots like the Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields – and since you’re in charge, you can venture further and explore other inviting neighborhoods as well.

Thanks to the freedom, it’s a great option for anyone looking for family things to do in New York City with kids .

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If you want to ditch the other tourists and drive your own path, then renting is the way to go. The Fancy Apple are on hand to give you advice on places to see and answer any questions you may have as well.

Overall, a wonderful way to experience Central Park.

How to book bike tours in NYC?

As America’s most visited tourist city, NYC has no shortage of bike tours to choose from. Plus, different companies offer discounts at different times, so it can be hard to know if you’re making the right call.

For that reason, it’s best to use our search engine and compares ALL of the bike tour options available. This way, you can lock in the best price and also read helpful customer reviews.

• compare bike tours in NYC

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Central Park Guided Bike Tour

From US $40.00

Explore Central Park in Style with NYC Park Tours™ Bike Tours

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure through the heart of the Big Apple’s most iconic green oasis? Look no further than NYC Park Tours™! We are creative, knowledgeable, and, most importantly, fun tour guides in New York since 2015, and we’re here to make your Central Park experience unforgettable. Join us for an exhilarating journey on our Bike tours in Central Park, New York City, where you’ll discover the park’s hidden gems, rich history, and stunning landscapes.

Activity Features

Immediate confirmation.

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Meeting Points

1411 6th ave, new york, ny 10019 ( in front of starbucks, between 57th-58th streets ), live tour guides.

Offering tours in English

Duration 2 hrs

Check availability and starting times

Experienced and Passionate Guides

At NYC Park Tours™, our guides are not just experts on Central Park; they are also passionate storytellers. We’ve been sharing the magic of this urban oasis with visitors from around the world for years, and our enthusiasm is contagious. Our guides are committed to ensuring you have the best possible  Bike tours in Central Park NYC , filled with fun and engaging stories that bring Central Park to life.

Small Group Tours

We believe in providing an intimate and personalized experience. That’s why our Central Park Bike Tours are limited to small groups. You won’t get lost in the crowd or feel rushed. Instead, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, interact with your fellow riders, and truly connect with the park.

Variety of Tours

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned New Yorker, we have a Central Park Bike Tour perfect for you. From leisurely rides that focus on the park’s history and architecture to more adventurous tours that explore its off-the-beaten-path trails, we offer a wide range of  Bike tours in Central Park NYC  to suit your interests.

Description

Quality bikes and equipment.

Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. That’s why we provide high-quality bikes and safety equipment for all our tours. Our bikes are well-maintained and designed for a smooth, enjoyable ride through the park.

Discover Central Park’s Hidden Treasures

Central Park is a vast and diverse oasis with a rich history. Our Bike Tours in Central Park, NYC, will take you to iconic spots. We also love to show you the park’s hidden gems and lesser-known corners, allowing you to see Central Park from a unique perspective.

Fun and Memorable

We are not just tour guides but entertainers who bring Central Park to life with engaging stories and interesting facts. Our tours are designed to be not only informative but also fun and memorable. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this remarkable urban park. Join NYC Park Tours™ for a memorable Bike Tour in Central Park NYC, and let us show you why we’ve been the go-to choice for adventurous explorers since 2015. Whether you are a solo traveler, a group of friends or family, or a couple, our tours are perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Book your Central Park adventure with us today and get ready to experience the park like never before!

Starting point: (120 Minutes)

Walman rink (pass by).

From movies Serendipity, Rayn-o-Nyle, Home Alone

Chess house (Pass By)

Constructed in 1952.Circling the house are 24 tables for chess and checkers

The carousel (Pass By)

Oldest carousel in the city, from 1908

The Dairy (Pass By)

From movie Serendipity, Enchanted

Gapstow Bridge (3 Minutes)

From movie Home Alone. Bridge from 1986

The Pond (Pass By)

From movies Home Alone, King Kong, Jersey Girl

Central Park Zoo (Pass By)

From movie Madagascar, Mr Popper's Pinguin

Statue Balto (Pass By)

National hero, From movie Balto. Statue from 1925

Rumsey Playfield (Pass By)

Good Morning America Show Summer Stage

Conservatory Water (Pass By)

From movie Stuart little

Loeb Boathouse Restaurant (Pass By)

From movies Sex In The City, 27 Dresses

The Mall (Pass By)

From movie Made in Manhattan

Bethesda Fountain - Bethesda Terrace (10 Minutes)

From movies Gossip Girls, Home alone, Elf ,Spider Man, Law and Order, 27 Dresses. Avengers

Cherry Hill Fountain (Pass By)

Designed by Jacob Wrey Mould in the 1860s

The Lake (Pass By)

The 18-acre lake, known simply as "the Lake" is the largest man-made body of water in the park

Bow Bridge (6 Minutes)

Completed 1862

The Falconer Statue (Pass By)

This elegant bronze statue is the work of British sculptor George Blackall Simonds

Daniel Webster (Pass by)

One of the most famous orators and politician

Strawberry Fields (7 Minutes)

Strawberry Fields was inaugurated on what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday, 9 October 1985

Alice in Wonderland Statue.

One of the most popular artworks in Central Park is Alice in Wonderland

Standing between the Great Lawn and the Met Museum

Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir

The Reservoir covers 106 acres of water. Though no longer used to distribute New York City's water supply

Belvedere Castle

Belvedere Castle is a folly in Central Park in Manhattan

The Dakota (Pass by)

One of the first buildings on upper west side from 1884s

Sheep Meadow (Pass by)

A 15 acre pasture, originally designated in 1864 by Olmsted and Vaux as a grazing area for 200 sheep

Tavern on the green (Pass by)

From movie Ghost Busters

Same as a meeting point

A beginner's guide to planning your first cycling trip

5 Boro Bike Tour in NYC: The Ultimate Guide

There’s no better way to discover New York City than by bicycle, and NYC’s 5 Boro Bike Tour is one of the most popular one-day cycling events in the United States.

This 40-mile, car-free ride takes place in New York City each May. It follows a route through each of the city’s five distinct boroughs: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

The 5 Boro Bike Tour is not a race. Instead, it encourages riders to cycle at their own pace and take in the city’s beautiful, diverse neighborhoods throughout the tour. There’s no other event like it in the city. The car-free streets make the tour a fun, family-friendly event for NYC locals and visitors of all ages.

If you’re planning to participate in the 5 Boro Bike Tour, here’s everything you need to know, from how to register, what to wear, which type of bike to bring, and how to train.

History of the 5 Boro Bike Tour

The 5 Boro Bike Tour is one of the oldest cycling events in the United States. It first took place in 1977, when a group of 50 high school students and 200 local cyclists rode a 50-mile loop of all five boroughs starting and ending in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.

Just one year later, as the city started to promote cycling, the route became officially known as the Five Boro Bike Tour and was shortened to 40 miles.

That year, in 1978, over 3,000 cyclists participated in the tour, and the ride has been growing ever since, with a cap of 32,000 riders. Today, 32,000 riders still take the streets of New York City each May to participate in the tour.

How can I sign up for the 5 Boro Bike Tour?

If you’re interested in riding the 5 Boro Bike Tour, you can register directly on Bike New York’s website here .

There are two main registration options for the 5 Boro Bike Tour:

• Standard registration: $129
• VIP registration: $400

Each registration fee includes a tax-deductible charitable donation, at $27 and $84 respectively.

Both registration models include the following:

• Rider Identification Kit
• Snacks and entertainment along the route at rest areas
• Water stops along the route
• Access to complimentary bicycle repair along the route
• Access to Support and Gear vehicles
• Entry to the Finish Festival at the end of the route on Staten Island
• Finisher medal & digital finisher certificate

The VIP registration option includes additional add-ons, including guaranteed placement in the first wave, a limited-edition Five Boro Bike Tour jersey, a tour-branded Manhattan Portage Bag, pair of Primal Wear Socks, and breakfast and gourmet lunch before and after the route.

You can also sign up through Charity Registration, although the price of registration depends on your selected charity.

What are the age restrictions on the 5 Boro Bike Tour?

Children under age 3 are not permitted on the tour, and those aged 3-9 must ride with an adult on a tandem bike, or in a child’s seat, tag-along bike, or bike trailer.

10-17 year olds can ride their own bikes. They must remain close to the adult with whom they registered for the tour.

5 Boro Bike Tour route

The 40-mile route of the 5 Boro Bike Tour begins at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. From there, it heads north on 6th avenue into Harlem before crossing Madison Avenue Bridge into the Bronx.

After a quick section in the Bronx, the route crosses back into Manhattan via the Third Avenue Bridge, continuing south on FDR drive. After crossing the Queensboro Bridge, cyclists head north to Astoria Park. They immediately turn back around to continue riding through Queens and later cross the Pulaski Bridge into Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn section of the 5 Boro Bike Tour takes riders through Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge before crossing the famous Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. This leads into Staten Island, the last of the five boroughs.

Once in Staten Island, cyclists ride toward the Staten Island Ferry. They then finish the route with a scenic ride on the ferry back to Lower Manhattan.

How to prepare for the 5 Boro Bike Tour

Train for the ride

Cycling 40 miles is not for the faint of heart. However, most people can successfully complete the 5 Boro Bike Tour with proper training. In the months leading up to the tour, commit to cycling at least 3-5 days per week.

If you’re brand new to cycling, start with 5-10 mile rides and gradually add 5 miles every week or two.

Practicing cycling outside is preferred, but this may not be possible for those living in cold climates. As an alternative, consider purchasing a bike trainer to use indoors with your bicycle, giving you practice on the bike you’ll ride during the tour from the comfort of your home.

Prepare your bicycle

It’s crucial to ensure your bike fits and is tuned properly for the tour.

There are too many stories of cyclists starting a bike tour only to realize that their bike is the wrong size, their gears are malfunctioning, or that their seat is uncomfortable.

The last thing you want to happen on the 5 Boro Bike Tour is be miserable on a bike that doesn’t work. Take the time to ensure your bike is working before the tour begins, whether you complete maintenance at home or bring the bike to a local cycling shop.

Practice riding with a group

Cycling alone is vastly different from cycling with 32,000 other riders. Before the 5 Boro Bike Tour, make sure you understand how to ride in a group. 

Even if you are riding solo for the 5 Boro Bike Tour, there are times in which you’ll be wheel to wheel with other cyclists. Knowing proper cycling etiquette and lingo will go a long way in completing a successful ride. After all, no one wants to be that guy who crashes into another cyclist or cuts them off!

Before the tour, be sure to practice riding with a group. Start riding with friends or join a local cycling team. Not only can this be a lot more fun than riding on your own, but it will help you prepare to ride with thousands of other people during the 5 Boro Bike Tour.

What should I bring on the 5 Boro Bike Tour?

If you’re wondering what to wear for the 5 Boro Bike Tour, the short answer is to wear layers . Spring in New York City is anything but predictable, so it’s important to prepare for a wide variety of weather conditions.

First wear a base layer, such as a cycling jersey or breathable workout shirt. If the forecast looks chilly, pack an insulating layer and/or an outer waterproof and windproof layer. 

For bottoms, wear a comfortable pair of padded cycling shorts. You can purchase padded cycling underwear to wear under a pair of regular shorts or padded shorts designed solely for cycling.

If the forecast looks exceptionally cold, wear leg warmers under your cycling shorts or opt for longer pants.

You’ll likely take off and put on layers several times during the ride, so prepare for multiple weather conditions.

Regardless of whether you wear regular athletic shoes or cycling shoes for the 5 Boro Bike Tour, it’s important that the shoes are comfortable, durable, and supportive.

Cycling shoes are designed specifically for cycling, and have a stiff sole that effectively transfers power when pedaling. If your bike is equipped with SPD pedals, use a cycling shoe you can clip into the pedals for efficient riding.

Our favorite cycling shoes are the Giro Rumble VR Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes. These sturdy shoes have a street design with adequate traction on the sole; they don’t look like a cycling shoe, making them more versatile for riding and commuting purposes.

If you’re bike does not have SPD pedals, a reliable pair of athletic shoes will do. Make sure the shoes fit properly to ensure they don’t cause any pain or discomfort while riding.

Accessories

Aside from clothing and shoes, you’ll want to bring several accessories with you for the 5 Boro Bike Tour. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Gloves , either cold-weather gloves or cycling gloves
• Helmet , make sure it fits properly before riding
• Speaker , for playing your favorite tunes during the ride
• Snacks , in case you get hungry between rest areas
• Water bottle : Bring two bottles of water; you can refill them at water stations along the route

We recommend bringing a day bag to store items like your phone, jacket, and snacks for use during the ride. However, bags with shoulder straps (such as backpacks and drawstring bags) and pannier bags are prohibited on the tour.

No one wants to deal with a flat tire on a bike ride, but unfortunately they’re very common. Luckily, the 5 Boro Bike Tour can help riders with any bike repair needs during the event.

Related : Bicycle tour mistakes: the rookie mistakes I made on my first cycling trip

Volunteers known as Rider Assist Marshals are available during the tour to help with flat tires and bike repair. In addition, the tour has several repair tents located throughout the route. Repairs are free, but bike parts come at an extra charge.

If you know how to fix a flat on your own, however, we recommend packing a spare tube or two in order to get back to riding as quickly as possible. Here are our recommendations for bike tools during the route:

• 1-2 spare tubes that match your bike’s tire size
• Small bike pump or CO2 cartridges
• Tire levers

One of the easiest ways to help prevent flat tires and ensure a smooth ride is to make sure your bike’s tires are properly inflated before starting the tour. Recycle-A-Bicycle has Pump Teams available near the route’s start area and at select rest areas. Be sure to take advantage of this service!

Which bike should I use on the 5 boro bike tour?

Any human-powered bike, including recumbent bikes, unicycles, tricycles, and tandems, are allowed on the the 5 Boro Bike Tour. The tour is on paved roads, so there’s no need to ride a hefty mountain or gravel bike.

Road bikes will see the best performance on the tour; their thin tires and little wind resistance make riding efficient. However, hybrid bikes and city bikes can also be great options for the 5 Boro Bike Tour.

Related : S&S coupler & Break-Away bikes: are these the best touring bikes?

Class 1 pedal-assist ebikes are permitted on the tour. These bikes have a motor that kicks in only when pedaling and have a maximum speed of 20 mph.

Should I use clip-in pedals on my bike?

We advise against using clip-in or SPD pedals unless you have prior experience with them. It’s common to fall several times as you learn to use clip-in pedals, and this is something you definitely do not want happening on the day of the bike tour.

Therefore, if you’re not used to clip-in pedals, use a pair of flat pedals with a sturdy pair of cycling shoes or tennis shoes.

5 Boro Bike Tour bicycle rentals

If you don’t have your own bike or are visiting New York City from out of town, you can choose to rent a bike for the 5 Boro Bike Tour.

Unlimited Biking is the tour’s official bike rental partner, and they offer rentals from $75 for kids bikes to $250 for tandem bikes. Most adults will opt for the $109 daily rental for a Cannondale Men’s Quick 6 bike or Cannondale Women’s Lady Adventure. In addition to the bike itself, bike rentals include some form of a bag or basket, a water bottle cage, and a helmet.

Other bicycle shops around the city offer rentals for the tour, too, including Blazing Saddles, NYC Bicycle Shop, and The Bicycle Planet.

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Jenna DeLaurentis

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News | 2024 New York City Bike Tour

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Five Boro Bike Tour takes over NYC. Here's why over 32,000 cyclists from around the world rode 40 miles.

By Kristie Keleshian , Zinnia Maldonado

Updated on: May 5, 2024 / 8:59 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK --  New York City's Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest charitable bike ride in the United States. It starts in Manhattan, then covers 40 miles across the five boroughs to end on Staten Island. 

Five Boro Bike Tour route map

The first wave of cyclists started at 7:30 a.m. from the intersection of Franklin and Church Street in Tribeca. The last wave left at 10:25 a.m.

The route then heads up into the Bronx, over to Queens, back down to Brooklyn and ends at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, where riders can then catch a ferry back to Manhattan.   

"It's 40 miles and I enjoy every minute of it," said Anthony Maynard, from Columbia, South Carolina. 

"It was a great destination and it was a tour, not a race, so we thought that it would be a first thing for us. We are not cyclists, so we've trained some," Nichole Muller, of Texas, said at the starting line. 

Many riders arrived Saturday to pick up their bibs and to attend the annual blessing of the bikes. 

"One of the reasons people come here, certainly not the only reason, but one of the reasons is people are aware of how dangerous this is, riding a bike in New York, and they come to pray for their own safety and ask us to pray with them for their own safety," said Patrick Malloy, Dean of Cathedral St. Catherine of the Divine. 

There is no official end time, but most riders should be done by the evening. 

"We're riding a tandem bike together, so that will be interesting just to take it to another level. We practiced yesterday in Central Park, we're good New York, we're good," added Meredith Mitsifer, of Arizona. "This is going to be amazing, I can't wait to see New York in a whole different way."

Cycling for a cause

The Five Boro Bike Tour represents all ages and abilities. 

"It feels like a microcosm of the world," said Bike New York President and CEO Ken Podziba. 

More than 32,000 cyclists take part in the charity ride, which raises money for Bike New York's free bike education programs. The nonprofit teaches children and adults how to ride, as well as bike safety.

"I'm riding on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," said Steve Shiffman, whose wife has cystic fibrosis. 

"We wanted to bring awareness to ovarian cancer," said Nicole Moler, with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in Dallas, Texas. 

Participants from around the world say the event is a rare chance to explore the city in this way.

"I think a lot of people that maybe are not familiar with the city, they think of New York as just Manhattan, but there's so much more to New York, and I think doing it on a bike is probably the most unique way you can possibly do it," said Will Stafford, from Virginia.

Five Boro Bike Tour road closures

Of course, the bike tour also meant street, bridge and tunnel closures for drivers across the city. 

The Staten Island-bound lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was closed from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. The upper level remained open in both directions. 

The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge exit ramp to the southbound FDR Drive closed from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The approach from the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to the westbound Gowanus/Brooklyn Queens Expressway closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See the full list of road closures here.

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Self-Guided Bike Tour

At the heart of the densely populated island of Manhattan, an 843-acre park cuts a rectangular green space between busy city streets. Central Park is a favorite for local cyclists, with a one-way 6.1-mile loop that zooms past the park’s leafy forests, quiet ponds and scenic bridges. Convenient hotels near the park include NYLO and Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side and Hotel Wales on the Upper East Side.

Within the park, there are both grand and hidden landmarks. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (with a seasonal rooftop cocktail bar) and the Guggenheim Museum are home to two of the city’s most renowned art collections. Tucked away at the northeast corner of the park, The Conservatory Gardens is an elaborate six-acre space divided into French, Italian and English-style gardens. At this northern stretch of Central Park, a convenient bike shop is Larry’s Freewheeling. Cyclists with kids may want to check out the Central Park Carousel (dating back to 1871) or the Museum of Natural History with its famous dinosaur displays. Renting a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse is a peaceful way to pass a couple hours.

After exploring the park, aim for the exit on the west side at 72nd Street (music fans might want to stop and see Strawberry Fields, an outdoor memorial to John Lennon). Use the westbound bike lane on West 77th Street to connect with the Hudson River Greenway via Riverside Park. Turn right to head north on this waterfront trail, providing 11 miles of paved paths up the west side of Manhattan.

If hunger strikes, the West 79th Street Boat Basin Café is a scenic, waterfront spot on the Hudson River for burgers, big salads, and drinks (everything from iced coffee to frozen margaritas). Cyclists looking for picnic options have several options including cult favorite Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on 125th Street in Harlem. You barely have to leave the trail to pick up slow-smoked brisket, St. Louis style ribs and hearty sides like mac and cheese or BBQ beans.

Waterfront benches and grassy lawns on the banks of the Hudson provide an ideal picnic setting. For a classic New York culinary staple, veer off the greenway for one block at 108th Street and Broadway to taste the kettle boiled, warm from the oven bagels at no-frills neighborhood favorite Absolute Bagels (cash only). As the greenway stretches north, it passes notable historic landmarks including The General Grant National Memorial (home to Grant’s tomb), the Little Red Lighthouse (a lighthouse dating back to 1889 under the George Washington Bridge) and Fort Tryon Park, home to the Cloisters Center of Medieval Art. The trail continues up to Inwood Hill Park at the northern tip of Manhattan where cyclists may want to explore paved trails through the forest. In this section of Manhattan, cyclists seeking a bike shop should check out Tread Bike Shop in Inwood.

Things to see and do in New York

The General Grant National Memorial

The General Grant National Memorial offers the chance to learn more about the former president's life and to visit his tomb.

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields contains a memorial to musician John Lennon who lived nearby.

Hudson River Greenway

Stretching for 11 miles up the west side of Manhattan, this is one of New York's most popular long distance greenways.

Loeb Boathouse

Rowboats are for rent in the heart of Central Park at the Boathouse (also home to a formal restaurant and informal patio for snacks and drinks).

Museum of Natural History

The immense Natural History Museum is best known for its dinosaur exhibit and suspended replica of a blue whale.

Central Park Carousel

The vintage carousel in Central Park dates back to 1871 and is a popular family attraction.

Guggenheim Museum

An iconic building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is the setting for this contemporary art museum.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

From ancient Egypt to the impressionists, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a wide-ranging collection.

Central Park

Set in the heart of Manhattan, this 843-acre park stretches from 59th Street in the south up to 110th Street in the north.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

One of New York's prime barbecue destinations, this restaurant slow smokes all of its meat.

Absolute Bagels

This no-frills neighborhood bagel shop is a cash-only, counter service spot for tasting New York City's famous bagels.

West 79th Street Boat Basin Café

Set alongside the Hudson River, this caf¿ is a lively spot for a snack, drinks, or a full meal.

Set alongside the Hudson River, this caf¿ is a lively spot for a snack, drinks, or a full meal.

Danny's Cycles

Conveniently situated between Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway, this neighborhood shop offers sales, repairs, and rentals.

Tread Bike Shop

Bike rentals and full-service repair facilities attract cyclists to this local shop.

Larry's Freewheeling

This neighborhood bike shop rents bikes and has experts on-site for repairs and gear recommendations.

Hotel Wales

This historic boutique hotel is an especially good pick during the warmer months when guests can take advantage of the rooftop terrace.

Hotel Beacon

Classic in style, this reliable hotel offers rooms with generous square footage (by New York City standards) and is known for quality service.

This sleek and modern property is set in a quiet, leafy neighborhood and offers appealing extras like rooms with balconies and a cozy lobby library.

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• 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

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Five boro bike tour (by td bank), nyc biking coming soon.

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The Best Bike Routes for Exploring New York City, According to an Avid Cyclist

I began my exploration of the countless bike paths in New York City as soon as I arrived. As a longtime cyclist in London , I knew that cycling is a satisfying way to get to know a city as a newcomer, and it’s no different in New York: you whip through neighborhoods, witnessing the landscape changing character dramatically between blocks. (My first ever bike ride took me past the copper-colored mansions of Brooklyn Heights, along the tourist-crowded cobbled streets of Dumbo, through Hasidic South Williamsburg  and ended outside a crummy dive bar on Grand.) Riding a bike also requires a certain mindset, a kind of calm hyper awareness as you assess your surroundings. It means that you really notice things on a bike: potholes and perfectly flattened rats that need dodging, but also scraps of conversations, or the gauzy silhouette of the Empire State Building peeking out behind skyscrapers to signpost where you are.

While  biking  through Manhattan has its chaotic charms, I love to cycle around Brooklyn most of all, past elaborately named churches and along brownstone-lined streets, getting splashed by the water from hydrants as children play in the water on scorching summer days, wheeling my bike down streets closed for block parties, or pausing to admire families’ dramatic Halloween decorations. And when you puff uphill over the bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan on a bright winter morning, the saturated colors of the city etched onto a clear sky, New York can literally take your breath away.

Navigating the bike paths in New York City can be intimidating, even for locals, but with a bit of research and planning you can take advantage of both official bike lanes and quieter backstreets. There are also riverside bike lanes running up both the east and west sides of Manhattan (with a thirty-block gap around the United Nations on the east side), as well as cycle paths contouring the key routes through Brooklyn. Whatever your style, on a bike, the city reveals itself to you.

Here are some of my favorite routes through New York 's various boroughs.

Brooklyn Bridge Park to Red Hook

I love to cycle this route at sunset, when the skyscrapers glow pink above the East River. Start at the Dumbo entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge Park , and ride slowly through this cleverly landscaped park with its baby-blue umbrellas, families grilling, and piers speckled with joggers and soccer players. The park’s cycle path turns into a “waterfront” route (the actual waterfront is somewhat hidden by the Port Authority and Brooklyn Cruise Terminal ), before curving into the cobbled streets of Red Hook. You can follow signs to Valentino Pier, taking in the sensational view of the Statue of Liberty amid buttery wafts from Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie —be sure to grab one. Maybe wind your way around the neighborhood’s old wharfs and small brick houses; or lock up your bike and check out an exhibition at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition , then grab lunch at the kitschy crab shack Brooklyn Crab . Don’t leave without a visit to the much-loved (cash-only) dive bar Sunny’s , where there’s live bluegrass and country music most nights.

East and West Village gardens

The East Village can be strangely quiet on weekday mornings, which is when I like to zigzag on my bike between Avenues A and D, exploring the neighborhood's community gardens . The more than 50 gardens—ranging from scrappy lots with intriguing artworks to beautifully landscaped city oases—are the legacy of 70s and 80s activists, and are maintained by local volunteers. Peach Tree Garden, named for the tree in its center, is a personal favorite; while La Plaza Cultural , with its amphitheater, pond and shady trellis, is one of the loveliest. Stop in Tompkins Square Park (with a BEC from Tompkins Square Bagels ), then cycle west down W 9th Street, watching the buildings get grander as you near the West Village . You’ll pass Jefferson Market Garden , a gorgeously manicured quiet spot beneath the fiddly gothic turrets of Jefferson Market Library, then continue down Christopher Street to the Hudson, pausing in the garden at St. Luke in the Fields to breathe in the scent of Buddleia.

Prospect Park, Green-Wood Cemetery, and Park Slope

There’s always great people-watching in Prospect Park : on the cycle path (which is one way), you might see pro-cyclists whooshing through, baseball matches on scrubby diamonds, music lovers lining up for the park’s free summer concerts, and endless dogs. Enter through Grand Army Plaza—where there’s a fantastic farmers market on Saturdays—and ride down the west side of the park, exiting at Bartel-Pritchard Square. Continue along Prospect Park West until you hit Green-Wood Cemetery. Leave your bike outside and meander through the sloping hills covered in stubby graves, statues of veiled angels, and grand mausoleums. You can potter towards Jean-Michel Basquiat’s grave, taking in the view of the Manhattan skyline rising beyond the grassy hills. Once you’re reunited with your bike, cycle north up 7th Ave through leafy Park Slope, taking in its fat brownstones and maybe even an enormous fried chicken and fennel slaw sandwich from local favorite, Winner .

Domino Park, Brooklyn to the Noguchi Museum, Queens

This route hugs portions of the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront. Start at Domino Park , then cycle along Williamsburg’s busy Kent Ave, where in the summer, there’s usually a high concentration of topless male joggers. You’re in Greenpoint when Kent Ave becomes Franklin St, which is dotted with excellent cafés and restaurants (it’s worth stopping at Taqueria Ramirez for a suadero taco). Turn right, admiring the neighborhood’s pretty, pastel-colored wooden houses, and then left onto the dusty Pulaski Bridge and into Queens. Hop over to Vernon Blvd, and it’s a straight line from there to the Noguchi Museum : past the New York Architectural Terra Cotta Works Building, an abandoned peach-colored gem tucked under the Queensboro Bridge, and Queensbridge and Rainey Parks. The museum, which houses the collection of the architect and designer Isamu Noguchi, is on the corner of 33rd St. After wandering through the galleries, with their snaking marble sculptures and somber gray stones, settle in the meditative calm of the sculpture garden.

Along the Hudson River Greenway to the Met Cloisters

The Hudson River Greenway stretches up the west side of Manhattan and is one of the loveliest cycle routes in the city. It’s a long way up to the Met Cloisters , so, while you can set off anywhere along the Greenway, Christopher Street Pier is a good starting point; it’s about an hour up to the Cloisters from there. Start by dodging roller skaters in the West Village, continuing past Little Island and the shimmering angles of Hudson Yards . You’ll hit the tranquil greenery of Riverside Park around the 60s, and higher up, buildings melt away entirely and all that’s visible beyond the grassy banks of the river is the George Washington Bridge. Immediately after the bridge, turn right and uphill, following signs over the footbridge to W 181st St, through Washington Heights to Fort Tryon Park . The pink stone courtyards, scented herb gardens and fountains of the Cloisters—which contains the Met’s medieval collections—are a restful place to catch your breath after the cycle.

Through Brooklyn to the beach

This uneven cycle cuts south through Brooklyn, across the Gateway National Recreation Area and over the Marine Parkway Bridge to the Rockaways . Start anywhere on Bedford Ave (it’s a couple of blocks over from Prospect Park , where I like to start), cycle all the way down, before nipping left around Avenue N, through suburban Midwood, with its timber-fronted houses, until you reach the southern stretch of Flatbush Ave. This busy road eventually arches into the bridge, which deposits you in Jacob Riis Park and its bright stretch of beach. It’s a route that lets you glimpse the many, changing faces of Brooklyn: one Sunday, church bells rang out in Little Caribbean; the faded art deco grandeur of the boarded-up last Sears in the city glowed in the sun; students handed out flyers on the Brooklyn College campus; and cyclists in swimwear made their steady way over the bridge to the sea. And those who looked back saw the Manhattan skyline, hazy and purple in the far, far distance.

From Prospect Park to Coney Island

If you’re after a simpler beach route , the five-mile long, tree-lined Ocean Parkway bike path (America’s first ever, dating back to 1894) runs a straight course from the bottom of Prospect Park to  Coney Island . If you’re planning to take a Citibike down there, don’t–astoundingly, there are no docks once you arrive. The rather lumpy bike path ends at the beach; lock up your bike on the boardwalk or wheel it along to candy-colored attractions of Luna Park for a ride on the Wonder Wheel or the Cyclone, the fairground’s beloved wooden roller coaster . There’s always a crowd at the original Nathan’s Famous , but the hotdogs are well worth the wait. Alternatively, walk over to Neptune Ave to Totonno’s , an old-school pizza joint with walls crammed with pictures and some of the best slices in the city. Finally, grab a gelato from Coney’s Cones and sit on the beach, watching the ferries go by and locals dedicate themselves to some serious sunbathing.

The perfect Central Park loop

Cycling through busy Central Park can be something of a stop-and-start affair, but the changing moods and delightful follies of Olmstead’s most famous creation are best enjoyed at a slower pace. The cycle path runs a strict one-way loop counter-clockwise around the park: start at the bottom west corner by the zoo (and perhaps check in on the sea lions in their octagonal pond), then follow the path north past the lake, behind the angular glass back of the Met, and up to the reservoir. Keep on past baseball diamonds, the Lasker public pool (due to reopen after an extensive renovation this summer), turning east through the quieter wooded north and then down along the west side, as the spindly towers south of the park dip in and out of sight between trees and the lake glimmers again on your left. You can cut across over Bethesda Terrace, where the cycle lane runs in both directions, or exit the park at 72nd St for some sustenance on the Upper West Side. Work your way up north through its sleepy streets lined with chunky townhouses and green-awninged apartment blocks to Zabar’s for a warm slice of babka, or up Amsterdam to 86th St for a pile of scrambled eggs and Nova in the mural-lined dining room at Barney Greengrass .

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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‘fake’ roadside memorial set up with busted kid’s bike, photo to slow down high-speed drivers: ‘slamming on the brakes’.

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Warning! Children at play.

A Utah resident put together a “fake” memorial using a mangled bicycle, prayer candles, flowers, and a “child’s” photo in hopes of slowing down speeding motorists on a potentially dangerous stretch of highway near his home.

David Smith, the creator of the mock shrine in Murray, a neighborhood in Salt Lake City, told Fox 13 he sees cars doing “60 miles an hour, just double the speed limit” on the road every day and hopes to avoid a terrible tragedy.

“I don’t want to wait ’til I’m putting out a picture of a kid that I know,” Smith told the outlet. “So we went ahead and put this out there to try and slow people down a little bit.”

Smith said he used a photo of his friend as a child — who is alive and in her 40s — and even ran over the kid-size bike in his own driveway to form the hard-hitting props for what he called a kind of  “art piece.”

And the makeshift shrine appears to be working, according to Smith and a fellow neighbor.

“From the moment that we put it out, we see people slamming on the brakes where they used to pump on the gas,” he told the outlet.

Charles Andrews, who lives across the street from the “art piece,” said that he noticed cars slowing down even before discovering the shrine was fake and believes it’s a “clever idea.”

“It helps you reflect on people who have experienced loss, and you don’t want to put someone in that way,” Andrews told the outlet.

Smith understands the crude “memorial” might leave some feeling uneasy once they discover it’s a fake, but says it’s worth it to keep the neighborhood safe.

“I can accept that there’s a bad feeling associated with this,” Smith explained.

“I probably have the worst feeling because I’m the one who had to make it, and I’m the one who has to have it in front of my house, and I don’t want that.”

Nevertheless, the clever Salt Lake City resident says he has no plans to take down the shrine and will continue maintaining it.

“We’re going to keep it going to try and keep that memory out there for people, that we’re all community here and everyone needs to look out for each other,” he told the outlet.

“I really don’t want your kid to be next.”

In 2022, there were over 42,000 traffic-related fatalities across the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Over 3% of those fatalities involved children 14 and younger.

That same year, there were over 1,100 bicyclists killed in traffic-related incidents, with about 5% of the fatalities being children 14 and younger.

An average of 3 children lost their lives, and an estimated 429 children were injured daily in traffic crashes in 2022.

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Biking Through Southern France, and History

The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels access to parts of France that are rich in lore, yet sometimes passed over by visitors.

By William Fleeson

The Canal du Midi, entirely hand-dug and hailed as an engineering marvel on completion in 1681, offers a refreshing alternate take on French travel: a bikeable path through the towns and landscapes of the country’s south. Traversing Occitanie, the canal gives cyclists of all skill levels access to parts of France that are rich in history, yet sometimes passed over by visitors with (only) Paris on their mind.

When I discovered that the canal was manageable for nonserious cyclists like me, I was hooked. Stretching from the city of Toulouse to the Mediterranean port town of Sète, the 150-mile waterway offers mostly flat cruising for the thousands of riders who take to its towpaths every year.

For nearly a week in July, I cycled upstream from Sète as far as Toulouse. I rented an electric bike and other gear from Paulette , a rental company that focuses on canal tourists . The rental totaled about $400. I also took advantage of the group’s super-convenient send-ahead luggage service. That lightened my load to take on the canal, its large and small towns, and its historical undercurrents. I wanted to see its famous écluses , or oval-shaped locks, and the idyllic country scenes on the way. I didn’t really plan ahead — as a novice, I didn’t know how far my legs could take me. Given my fluid schedule, I opted to find accommodation via the canal’s abundant tourist offices after arriving wherever I chose to stay the night.

Up a canal with a rented bike

The road from Sète starts at the sea. The former fishing town, where I picked up my bike as well as side bags for the essentials I wasn’t sending onward, ranks as a low-key favorite among French and foreign visitors. I pedaled southwest out of town on a Saturday morning, the shimmering Mediterranean to my left.

Starting at one end of the original canal helped me appreciate the ambition of the waterway’s visionary builder. Pierre-Paul Riquet, born in nearby Béziers in the early 1600s, conceived of the Canal du Midi as just one section of a Canal des Deux Mers — a “two-sea canal” — connecting the Mediterranean with the Atlantic, and stretching from Sète as far as Bordeaux.

Joining the two coasts would open up a lucrative alternate trade route to sailing around Spain and Portugal, and would develop French inland commerce in the process — mostly for the region’s salt, wheat and wine. But how to build a body of water from scratch? Riquet’s “canal of communication,” as he called the full project, would draw waters flowing south from the Montagne Noire, on France’s central uplands, and north from the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains that border Spain.

After years of planning, and an early, self-funded demonstration project, Riquet persuaded King Louis XIV to back the Canal des Deux Mers, with the Canal du Midi ending in Toulouse and the Canal de Garonne running from there to the northwest. It would become the largest construction zone in 17th-century France, after Versailles .

My first day on the canal, after clocking 28 miles and an embarrassing handful of wrong turns, I stopped for the night in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, amid the start of Europe’s “ Cerberus ” heat wave. The town, heavy on Spanish influence, was holding a bull festival, with an event running the animals down the main thoroughfare. The stop showed me cultural elements from across France’s nearby border — an exchange the Canal du Midi has accelerated over three and a half centuries.

On Thomas Jefferson’s trail

Picking up the canal the next morning, I rode through 24 miles of vineyards, sunshine and more heat. If I was freewheeling in a literal sense, I was also mindful not to push too far, too hard, without firm plans for accommodation, given the sacrosanct weekend hours of a French summer Sunday.

At lunchtime I stopped in Le Somail, a hamlet that once served as a stop for canal travelers. Over a stone bridge made bright with flower boxes, I noticed a plaque in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The founding father traveled the canal as part of a three-month trip through France and Italy, stopping in Le Somail in May of 1787. In his notes from the journey, the 44-year-old Jefferson expressed a preference for solo travel. “One travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more,” he wrote. I was hoping for my own modest dose of Jefferson’s reflections.

The tourist office at Le Somail, with a surprisingly well-done adjacent exhibit on the canal, recommended the bed-and-breakfast Le Neptune , a few hundred yards away. Run by Dirk and Inge Demeulenaere — a retired Belgian couple who spoke Flemish to each other between conversations with guests — Le Neptune provided tasteful, 19th-century digs with funky modern accents, like Beatles posters and a bead screen with a likeness of Salvador Dalí. The couple served me breakfast on their verdant outdoor patio, then saw me off personally. I was glad to have stopped in Le Somail, as much for Jeffersonian surprises as for the unexpectedly sweet hospitality I received.

Castles and Cathars

The 34-mile ride from Le Somail to the next large city, Carcassonne, brought the trip’s most challenging terrain: hills, rough gravel and long stretches made narrow by weeds and overgrowth. In places the canal doubled back on itself, winding hairpins through fields and throwing off stop-and-gawk views from the waterway’s raised embankments. Despite the hard slog, the arrival in Carcassonne, and the medieval castle from which the town has enjoyed centuries of fame, made the difficulty worthwhile. The castle’s towers proved as dizzying as the day’s 99-degree high.

A settlement predating France’s Roman era, Carcassonne expanded during the 12th and 13th centuries via massive fortification projects, a response to wars between the kingdom of France and outsiders like the Albigensians and the Aragonese. The walled medieval city, whose old town is still inhabited, benefited from major conservation efforts in the 19th century. The result obliges every castle cliché, with teeth-like crenelated ramparts and towers with roofs shaped like witches’ hats. Costumed tour guides enhance the effect.

The development of Carcassonne’s castle also stems from the city’s role as a flashpoint in the religious history of southern France, notably through the Cathar religious movement, considered outside the bounds of traditional Catholicism. The 13th century brought to a head tensions between Cathars and local Catholic populations, resulting in sieges and executions across the region. Carcassonne and its castle counted among Cathar strongholds before French kings gradually absorbed the region into their sphere of control. I left Carcassonne with a fresh understanding of French history and places well outside the country’s more-touristed zones.

A quest for cassoulet

The next day required a shorter, 25-mile ride to the town of Castelnaudary. I had motivation to get there quickly: “Castel,” as locals call it, is home to cassoulet, France’s peerless pot of pork, duck, sausage and steaming white kidney beans. Between a lock keeper outside town, and the attendants at Castel’s tourist office, a restaurant called Chez David came recommended twice in an hour. I knew where I was headed for lunch.

The restaurant’s head chef, David Campigotto, could be dubbed the Guy Fieri of cassoulet: with a rock ’n’ roll aesthetic of piercings, tattoos and a goatee, his style is as bold as his gastronomy. I arrived at the restaurant as raucous blues music was playing from speakers overhead. Photos of guitars hung on the walls. Each table’s water jug was a repurposed bottle from Kentucky’s Bulleit bourbon distillery.

When my cassoulet came, the waiter ran down a well-polished summary of the dish’s process and ingredients. Even before the cooking begins, he said, the kidney beans soak in bouillon overnight. The pot then matures in the oven for six hours — “at least,” Mr. Campigotto told me, in a conversation after my meal. The meats and beans stew in their own juices and bring the dish to a coherent, and transporting, unity of flavors. The chef and some of his staff travel to Chicago most years for events with the prominent local chef and restaurateur Paul Kahan . Mr. Campigotto said he loves the city, where he plays the part of gastro-diplomat to scores of Chicagoans. He travels with his own kidney beans.

Toward the “Pink City”

Leaving Castelnaudary, the bike felt heavier. (Or was it just the cassoulet?) I rolled through sunflower fields and cooler weather on my final day, combined with a quick train ride — regional lines accommodate bikes and weary cyclists — for the final 39 miles to Toulouse. Along the way lay a geographic wonder: the Threshold of Naurouze , the dividing point between the Atlantic and Mediterranean watersheds. There, about 600 feet above sea level, the Canal du Midi’s water flow changes directions. A feeder stream from the Montagne Noire keeps the water even on either side. The last lock before Naurouze is the écluse de la Méditerranée; the first after it, the écluse de l’Océan, meaning the Atlantic. In this way the Canal du Midi captures a sense of France’s geography, and its breadth, between two seas.

Called the “Pink City” for its red stone and brick buildings, Toulouse, France’s fourth-largest city, often goes overlooked, perhaps given its distance from Paris. For cyclists from the canal or elsewhere, Toulouse is an eminently bikeable town: dedicated lanes for vélos run everywhere, with myriad signs and arrows to help. Paulette’s Toulouse office accepted my bike earlier than scheduled, with no fee or questions asked.

Now bike-free, I took in Toulouse for its sunny — and indeed, pink — splendor. The narrow rue Saint-Rome greeted pedestrians with brick facades and pastel-painted shutters. The Place du Capitole hosted restaurants and grand cafes, and had a street market on the day I visited. The Capitole building itself, with its red stone and white columns, houses the mayor’s office as well as the Toulouse opera.

Walking the city that evening, I saw in a state of happy fatigue the brilliant Capitole and other buildings. Toulouse, and the points of interest since my start in Sète, made cycling the Canal du Midi worth every pedaled mile.

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A photo caption with an earlier version of this article misidentified a bicycle parked outside the Le Neptune bed and breakfast. It is a VéloSoleX gas-powered bike, not an ebike.

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Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .