{"id":11720,"date":"2025-05-03T15:33:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T19:33:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=11720"},"modified":"2025-05-03T20:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T00:37:46","slug":"bike-bridges-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/11720\/bike-bridges-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"Searching for Bike Friendly Destinations in New York? These  are NYC Bridges You Should (and should not) Bike Over"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"n0oe1mwsehe8wltucr1j\" data-sticky=\"1\" data-autoplay=\"1\" data-volume=\"70\" data-ratio=\"16:9\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"883\">Let\u2019s be honest: there\u2019s something magical about the moment you ditch the subway for two wheels and feel the wind slap you in the face like an overcaffeinated pigeon on a mission. Spring in New York is basically the city&#8217;s way of saying, \u201cHey, I&#8217;m tolerable again\u2014go outside.\u201d And that\u2019s your cue to haul your bike out of hibernation, pump those tires, and prepare for the sort of urban adventure that smells faintly of street cart pretzels and ambition.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"357\" data-end=\"427\">What to Know Before Exploring Bike Friendly Destinations in New York<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"885\" data-end=\"1348\">Now, if you&#8217;re thinking about biking through Midtown Manhattan during rush hour, bless your heart. Between honking taxis, potholes the size of bathtubs, and delivery guys racing like they\u2019re training for the Tour de France, the city center is less &#8220;bike-friendly&#8221; and more &#8220;bike-survive-y.&#8221; But here&#8217;s the good news: some areas in and around NYC are <em data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1247\">shockingly<\/em> enjoyable to cycle through. So where are the real <strong data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1340\">bike friendly destinations in New York<\/strong> hiding?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1350\" data-end=\"1390\">Let me be your two-wheeled travel buddy.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"1392\" data-end=\"1395\">\n<h1 class=\"\" data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1450\">Is the George Washington Bridge Ride Right for You?<\/h1>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1893\">If your idea of a good time includes steep inclines, sweeping river views, and a mild existential crisis on a narrow bikeway, then yes, yes it is. The George Washington Bridge isn&#8217;t the easiest to mount\u2014mentally or physically\u2014but once you\u2019re rolling into New Jersey, it\u2019s like stepping into a bike-friendly alternate universe. <a href=\"https:\/\/parks.ny.gov\/regions\/palisades\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Palisades Park<\/a> is gorgeous, wildly underrated, and you\u2019ll probably question why you haven\u2019t done this ride sooner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"2151\">Pro tip: Watch for other bikers on the bridge. It gets so narrow in places that it feels like you\u2019re playing a real-life version of Mario Kart, minus the banana peels. Go slow, be nice, and keep your eyes on the prize\u2014those Hudson River views are worth it.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"2151\">Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"2B4m_C3_2VU\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"VIRTUAL BIKE RIDE - George Washington Bridge\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2B4m_C3_2VU?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"2212\" data-end=\"2215\">\n<h2 data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2257\">Can the Brooklyn Bridge Still Wow You?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2259\" data-end=\"2620\">Short answer: yes\u2014if you go early and avoid the tourist stampede. The Brooklyn Bridge is basically the Beyonc\u00e9 of bike friendly destinations in New York. Everyone wants a photo, but few handle her with grace. Ride it before 9 a.m. and you\u2019ll get those cinematic skyline shots and that giddy feeling of riding above the East River while the city yawns awake.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2622\" data-end=\"2950\">Once you reach Brooklyn, it\u2019s a buffet of cultural gems: Prospect Park, Red Hook, Smith Street\u2019s eateries, and more hip coffee shops than you can shake a U-lock at. The bridge\u2019s symbolism\u2014connecting old with new, chaos with calm\u2014isn&#8217;t lost on anyone who&#8217;s biked from Wall Street\u2019s steel towers to the leafy quiet of Cobble Hill.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2622\" data-end=\"2950\">Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"DmslJ7smzi8\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Cycling the New Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane (September 2021)\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DmslJ7smzi8?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2952\" data-end=\"3051\">? Check <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/html\/dot\/html\/bicyclists\/bikestats.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">live foot\/bike crowding data<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3056\">\n<h2 data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3115\">Should You Cross the Manhattan or Williamsburg Bridges?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3117\" data-end=\"3394\">I\u2019ve done both\u2014usually with the soundtrack of revving engines and occasional sirens. These bridges won\u2019t win any beauty pageants. The views are meh, and the noise is nonstop. But if your destination is Williamsburg, Bushwick, or DUMBO, they\u2019ll get you there quickly and safely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3396\" data-end=\"3555\">The ride across is less about the journey and more about the convenience. Think of them as the city\u2019s utilitarian bike hallways: not glamorous, but functional.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3557\" data-end=\"3664\"><strong>? Learned the hard way:<\/strong> bring earbuds with ambient mode or risk going mildly feral from the traffic noise.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3557\" data-end=\"3664\">Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"5aMlDqVspcs\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"The Williamsburg Bridge now has World-Class bike access from Brooklyn\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5aMlDqVspcs?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"3666\" data-end=\"3669\">\n<h2 data-start=\"3671\" data-end=\"3729\">Is the Broadway Bridge Your Secret Gateway to the Bronx?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3731\" data-end=\"4139\">Yes, and it feels like you\u2019re in on a local secret. This unassuming drawbridge at the top of Manhattan leads to one of my favorite bike friendly destinations in New York: the <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/1055\/croton-aqueduct-trail-hiking\/\">Old Croton Aqueduct Trail<\/a>. Once you&#8217;re there, it\u2019s like leaving Gotham behind. No cars. No noise. Just trees, fresh air, and an almost meditative rhythm as your tires roll over crushed gravel paths through Westchester and beyond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4141\" data-end=\"4295\">One caveat: navigation. You\u2019ll want to pre-plan your route because signage is limited and phone signals tend to disappear like your willpower in a bakery.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4141\" data-end=\"4295\">Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"5KtoaEi51-0\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Dyckman to Van Cortlandt  Via Broadway Bridge\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5KtoaEi51-0?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"4369\" data-end=\"4372\">\n<h2 data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4418\">Can the Ward\u2019s Island Bridge Surprise You?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4420\" data-end=\"4672\">Oh yes. Tucked away at 103rd Street, this tiny, often-overlooked bridge delivers a quiet escape into the open fields and waterfronts of Randall\u2019s and Ward\u2019s Island Parks. It&#8217;s a place where cyclists, joggers, and curious Manhattanites go to decompress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4825\">It\u2019s not a long ride, but it\u2019s therapeutic\u2014kind of like stretching after a stressful meeting, but with better views and zero awkward office small talk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4827\" data-end=\"4883\">? Island park details: <a target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4850\" data-end=\"4883\">https:\/\/randallsisland.org\/visit\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4827\" data-end=\"4883\">Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"mTUMGNAD-Ns\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Wards Island Bridge to the Hell Gate Pathway\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mTUMGNAD-Ns?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"4885\" data-end=\"4888\">\n<h2 data-start=\"4890\" data-end=\"4948\">Is the Gil Hodges Marine Parkway Bridge Worth the Pedal?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4950\" data-end=\"5306\">If you like ocean air and the smell of sunscreen in the summer, this bridge is your gateway to the Rockaways. The ride itself can be&#8230;let\u2019s say \u201ccharacter-building.\u201d At times, the path narrows to the point where you\u2019ll need to dismount. But hey, you\u2019ll be rewarded with sandy beaches and seafood shacks that serve fried clams you\u2019ll dream about for weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5308\" data-end=\"5395\">? Memory unlocked: Nearly wiped out mid-bridge while rubbernecking a sunset. Worth it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5397\" data-end=\"5470\">? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nycgovparks.org\/parks\/rockaway-beach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rockaway Beach guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5397\" data-end=\"5470\">Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"Cf0ATI8cjsM\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Bike ride across Marine Parkway Bridge - Northbound\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Cf0ATI8cjsM?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"5472\" data-end=\"5475\">\n<h2 data-start=\"5477\" data-end=\"5536\">Which Bridges Should You Avoid Like a Pothole in Midtown?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5538\" data-end=\"5942\">You\u2019ve been warned. The Queensboro Bridge will vibrate your fillings loose. The RFK Bridge is a multi-borough obstacle course that hates your bike. And the Third Avenue and 138th Street Bridges? Unless you\u2019re into cracked concrete, metal grates, and being sandwiched between semis, skip them. They\u2019re technically \u201cbike accessible,\u201d but that\u2019s a bit like saying Times Square is \u201ca peaceful walking route.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5944\" data-end=\"6132\">Symbolically, these crossings represent New York\u2019s ongoing tug-of-war between being a pedestrian city and a driver\u2019s fortress. Spoiler: drivers still have the upper hand in too many spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6134\" data-end=\"6230\">? List of NYC bridge conditions: <a target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"6168\" data-end=\"6230\">https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/html\/dot\/html\/infrastructure\/bridges.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"6232\" data-end=\"6235\">\n<h2 data-start=\"6237\" data-end=\"6299\">So, Are There Really Bike Friendly Destinations in New York?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6301\" data-end=\"6627\">Yes\u2014and they\u2019re growing. But here\u2019s the trick: you\u2019ve got to know where to look, when to go, and which routes to avoid like an overripe banana in your pannier bag. From the serenity of the Palisades to the quirky neighborhoods of Brooklyn, some of the best bike friendly destinations in New York are hiding in plain sight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6629\" data-end=\"6849\">With more protected bike lanes being added every year, we\u2019re inching closer to a city that treats cyclists like citizens rather than stunt performers.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"6851\" data-end=\"6854\">\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"6856\" data-end=\"6895\">Quick Tips for Urban Cyclists in NYC<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"6897\" data-end=\"7423\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6897\" data-end=\"7038\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6899\" data-end=\"7038\"><strong data-start=\"6899\" data-end=\"6934\">Helmet cam is your best friend.<\/strong> In a city with more \u201che said\/she said\u201d moments than a soap opera, a GoPro could save you serious grief.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7039\" data-end=\"7149\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7041\" data-end=\"7149\"><strong data-start=\"7041\" data-end=\"7071\">Early mornings are golden.<\/strong> Ride before 8 a.m. to beat the crowds and soak in unobstructed skyline views.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7150\" data-end=\"7289\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7152\" data-end=\"7289\"><strong data-start=\"7152\" data-end=\"7195\">Always check bridge maintenance alerts.<\/strong> Especially for bridges like Henry Hudson, which sometimes ghost you like a flaky Tinder date.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7290\" data-end=\"7423\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7292\" data-end=\"7423\"><strong data-start=\"7292\" data-end=\"7323\">Invest in good bike lights.<\/strong> Not the $5 kind from the corner store. The bright, blinding ones that scream \u201cI exist!\u201d to traffic.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"7425\" data-end=\"7428\">\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"7430\" data-end=\"7448\">People Also Ask<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7450\" data-end=\"7628\"><strong data-start=\"7450\" data-end=\"7490\">Is biking in NYC safe for beginners?<\/strong><br data-start=\"7490\" data-end=\"7493\">It can be! Stick to well-marked bike paths, car-free zones like Central Park, and off-peak hours. Avoid major avenues during rush hour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7630\" data-end=\"7813\"><strong data-start=\"7630\" data-end=\"7705\">What\u2019s the best time to explore bike friendly destinations in New York?<\/strong><br data-start=\"7705\" data-end=\"7708\">Spring and fall offer the best weather. Early mornings or Sundays are ideal for avoiding crowds and cars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7815\" data-end=\"7994\"><strong data-start=\"7815\" data-end=\"7861\">Can I take my bike on the subway or ferry?<\/strong><br data-start=\"7861\" data-end=\"7864\">Yes! Most NYC subways allow bikes during off-peak hours. Ferries also welcome bikes and are a great way to start or end your ride.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"7996\" data-end=\"7999\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8001\" data-end=\"8182\">Need help planning your route or finding the gear that won\u2019t betray you mid-ride? Just ask. I\u2019ve tested it all\u2014from puncture-proof tires to snacks that won\u2019t melt in your saddlebag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">For more awesome rides, read our post where 9 notable <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/30997\/bike-rides-new-york-city\/\">New Yorkers talk about their favorite bike rides<\/a>.&nbsp;<em>If you want to read more, check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/57295\/the-8-best-bike-maps-for-new-yorkers\/\">8 Bike Maps<\/a> that include street maps of all of the bike paths and routes within the five boroughs.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo courtesy of&nbsp;<a class=\"owner-name truncate\" title=\"Go to Susan Sermoneta&#039;s photostream\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/en321\/\" data-track=\"attributionNameClick\" data-rapid_p=\"29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Susan Sermoneta<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Map of Recommended Bridges for Biking<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps\/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=115476317852411459847.000486b6a854c403a6711&amp;ll=40.78834,-73.951721&amp;spn=0.181957,0.343323&amp;z=11&amp;output=embed\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<small>View <a style=\"color: #0000ff; text-align: left;\" href=\"http:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps\/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=115476317852411459847.000486b6a854c403a6711&amp;ll=40.78834,-73.951721&amp;spn=0.181957,0.343323&amp;z=11&amp;source=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Biking NYC Bridges<\/a> in a larger map<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s be honest: there\u2019s something magical about the moment you ditch the subway for two wheels and feel the wind slap you in the face like an overcaffeinated pigeon on a mission. Spring in New York is basically the city&#8217;s way of saying, \u201cHey, I&#8217;m tolerable again\u2014go outside.\u201d And that\u2019s your cue to haul your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":55691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[325,750,817,320,315,1869,754,326],"tags":[461,641,381,179,254,245],"class_list":{"0":"post-11720","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"category-bike-2","9":"category-biking-adventure-activity-2","10":"category-brooklyn-outer-boroughs-destination","11":"category-day-trips","12":"category-editors-picks","13":"category-manhattan-2","14":"category-queens-outer-boroughs-destination","15":"tag-adventurous","16":"tag-bike-month","17":"tag-biking","18":"tag-bridge","19":"tag-free","20":"tag-getaway"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":55691,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/6018356765_d028c9b313_o-e1485556525851-350x197.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11720\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}