There are plenty of ways to get around New York City, but few are as rewarding as doing it on two wheels. The best biking in New York City takes you through car-free greenways, past sweeping waterfront views, and right up to some of the most celebrated attractions in the country. Whether you're a first-time visitor with a packed itinerary or a seasoned traveler looking to cover more ground, cycling offers a surprisingly smooth way to connect the dots between highlights. And when you pair a day on a bike with New York CityPASS® tickets, the whole adventure comes together with real savings at every stop.
Ride Through Central Park to the American Museum of Natural History
Central Park is the jewel of Manhattan, and there's no better way to take it in than a leisurely ride through its many winding paths, many of which lead to the American Museum of Natural History.
Bike-Friendly Loops and Scenic Stops
The Central Park Loop's 6.1-mile perimeter is ideal for cyclists, with the southern section drawing the biggest crowds — and for good reason, since weekends and holidays bring fully car-free riding conditions.
Where To Park and Explore the American Museum of Natural History
Around mile marker 5, lock up at the bike racks in the Rose Center for Earth and Space driveway and head straight into one of the most comprehensive natural history collections on the planet.
Cruise the Hudson River Greenway to the Intrepid Museum
Follow the Hudson River Greenway — a car-free waterfront path along Manhattan's West Side — south to the Empire State Trail, connect to the Intrepid Museum, and take in the riverbank where emerald and azure meet.
Waterfront Views and Dedicated Bike Paths
The Greenway is a premier, fully dedicated path with no cars and no intersections every few blocks. Whether you cover the whole stretch or just a section of it, the waterfront experience is one of the great outdoor pleasures the city offers. This is the kind of route that makes a biking day in New York feel less like transportation and more like a destination in itself.
Easy Access to the Intrepid Museum
Continue south until you connect with the Empire State Trail heading toward Midtown, and you'll land right near the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86. The museum doesn't have dedicated on-site bike parking, but racks are available nearby along the pier. Citi Bike stations along 12th Avenue are another convenient option — dock your rental and walk the short distance to the entrance.
Connect Midtown Attractions on Two Wheels
Midtown packs two world-class CityPASS® ticket attractions into a surprisingly bike-friendly corridor. And while the area has its share of streets unfriendly to bikers, a current biking in New York City map will keep you on the right path.
Empire State Building to MoMA
The Empire State Building Observatory and MoMA are separated by a straightforward 10-minute ride along 6th Avenue, which features dedicated bike lanes running through Midtown. While the Empire State Building doesn't have a dedicated bike room for cyclists to store their rides, a nearby Citi Bike station will let you store your ride while heading up to the observation deck. MoMA also has limited bike racks along the sidewalk out front.
Best Streets and Bike Lanes for Safer City Riding
6th Avenue is your friend in Midtown, but narrow cross streets and the chaos near Times Square are among the genuinely bad places to go biking in New York City. Keep a current map of biking routes in New York City open in the NYC DOT or Citi Bike app to stay on course.
Using Citi Bike Near CityPASS® Ticket Entry Points
Citi Bike stations near every major CityPASS® ticket attraction make it easy to dock, explore, and grab a fresh bike for the next stop.
Ride Downtown for Iconic Views and Cruises
The southern end of Manhattan opens up to a different kind of cycling experience — broader paths, more waterfront access, and a direct connection to some of the city's most memorable sights. It's also where several routes converge, making downtown a natural endpoint for a full-day biking itinerary.
Battery Park and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
Battery Park's waterfront paths lead straight to the East River Greenway, where a short ride brings you to the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises at Pier 16 near the South Street Seaport. Or park your bike at one of the many racks in Battery Park before boarding the Statue of Liberty Ferry. The Empire State Trail stitches this entire southern corridor together, making it possible to hit the Intrepid Museum, the Empire State Building Observatory, and a cruise all in one day on two wheels.
Tips for First-Time NYC Cyclists
New York City rewards cyclists who come prepared. This isn't mountain biking in New York City, but the city's rules still require some homework before you set off.
Legally, cyclists follow the same traffic laws as drivers: stop at red lights, stay in designated bike lanes, and keep off the sidewalk. Helmets are mandatory for riders 14 and under, and headlights and taillights are required after dark. A solid bike lock is essential if you're riding your own.
For rentals, Citi Bike is your best bet, with stations across all five boroughs. Trips start at $4.99 for 30 minutes, with extra fees for e-bikes. It also pairs well with the subway, where you can ride to your next CityPASS® ticket attraction, dock the bike, and hop on a train if the distance calls for it. Brooklyn, the best-ranked large U.S. city for biking, and its 3.3-mile car-free Prospect Park loop are worth the trip across the bridge if you have time to spare.
Plan the Perfect Biking Day With New York CityPASS® Tickets
Biking in New York City isn't just about the ride. It's about what the ride connects. The routes in this guide aren't random detours; they're the connective tissue between some of the greatest museums, observation decks, and waterfront experiences on the East Coast. Pairing a full day on two wheels with the savings and access that come from New York CityPASS® tickets turns a great trip into a genuinely memorable one. The tickets handle access and savings at top NYC attractions, while the bike takes care of the miles in between.