Manhattan

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The Abyssinian Baptist Church on West 138th Street.

Manhattan is the smallest, most densely populated of the five boroughs, comprising less than a tenth of New York City’s overall landmass. Having received about a quarter of all new bike lanes built in the past seven years, the borough is among the best-equipped urban centers for cyclists nationwide. You’ll encounter a mix of cycling conditions as you explore the various landscapes the borough has to offer. From sweeping car-free greenways ideal for beginners to urban neighborhoods with stop-and-go traffic, the borough has it all.

Central Park offers miles of car-free biking. Fort Tryon Park showcases the Cloisters and affords expansive views of the Palisades across the Hudson. The Hudson River Greenway runs from the tip of Manhattan at Battery Park to its northernmost point just south of the Bronx, with waterfront views along the way. The George Washington Bridge brings you to one of the region’s most popular cycling routes in Palisades Interstate Park. Governor’s Island and Randall’s Island are great weekend escapes that feel far-removed from New York City. Dense urban landscapes in Chinatown, Little Italy, the Upper West Side, and the financial center bring you face to face with the city’s cultural, architectural, and historical roots. The variety Manhattan has to offer guarantees that all cyclists—novice and expert, young and old, commuter and cruiser—will find multiple routes that please them.