What: 2nd Annual Summer Streets
When: Saturdays, August 8, 15, 22, 7:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
Where: The bike route runs the length of Park Avenue, and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park.
Why: For most of us city slickers, a summer without sweltering heat and humidity is a beautiful thing. Let’s celebrate the freakish mid-70-degree weather in August with a breezy bike ride through the car-free streets of New York. (Yes, you read that right: no cars, not even taxis.) The Summer Streets’ green initiative is partnering with the bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (TA) to coordinate escorted bike rides from outer-borough destination points to Manhattan.
However, for off-island seekers, you can take your bike over the Brooklyn Bridge to Grand Army Plaza—one of the designated TA meet-up spots is under The Soldiers’ and Sailor’s Arch. Pick up some fresh goodies at the Farmers Market, pop into the Brooklyn Library, or have a picnic at Prospect Park.
Alternative routes: Pedal to the World War I Memorial in Queens, where the scenic ride will take you along Shore Boulevard and into Astoria Park. If you’re seeking a Bronx adventure, your uphill legwork will lead you to Woodlawn and through the neighborhood’s authentic Irish culture.
Your to-do list: Pump tires, strap on helmet, fill up water bottle, pack on the SPF, and bike for joy.
Cost: Free
How To Get There: Visit the Summer Streets website for a map, ride meeting points, activities, and more info. Note: For those without wheels, free loaner bikes will be made available at various rest stops, such as the Family Rest Stop, Musical & Cultural Rest Stop, and SoHo Stations.
Photo: Courtesy of lindsaypunk
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram