Biking in New York: The City's 8 Best Neighborhoods for Cyclists

It’s common knowledge that New York City has some of the best public transportation offerings of any U.S. city. But did you know that — in addition to trains and buses — you can get around the Big Apple by bike, too? Beyond providing a convenient and scenic commute, biking can be both an environmentally and wallet friendly option. Some companies even provide their cycling-inclined employees with subsidized CitiBike credit or other monetary incentives to use two wheels to get to work. Plus, who doesn’t love some built-in exercise?! 

If you’ve been curious about biking in New York but unsure where to start, look no further. We’ve narrowed down the eight best NYC neighborhoods for bikers below (in no particular order). The areas that made the cut had the following in common: multiple CitiBike stations, close proximity to greenways and other public natural spaces, dedicated and safe bike lanes, and a plethora of bike shops. Keep calm and cycle on!

Note: While biking is a great way to get around NYC, it can be dangerous if safety isn’t prioritized by drivers, bikers, and pedestrians alike. Check out the city’s guide to bike safety for some helpful tips.

East Village, Manhattan

First up on our list of best biking neighborhoods in NYC is the East Village. It contains a whopping total of 42 CitiBike stations, so you won’t be hurting for wheels. And with multiple protected bike lanes running both east-to-west and north-to-south, it’s easy to get around to all neighborhood highlights, such as St. Mark’s Place and Tompkins Square Park. If you own a bike instead of renting one, there are many notable cycling shops that can tune you up. CC Cyclery and Trek Bicycle Stuyvesant Town both have 4.8+ star ratings on Google reviews for excellent customer service, knowledgeable employees, and fair pricing.

Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Now we’re heading due west to Greenwich Village, another NYC cycling hotspot. Though it technically only spans 185 acres, it contains an impressive 17 CitiBike stations. Like its sister neighborhood to the east, Greenwich Village boasts a number of high-caliber bike shops. Waterfront Bike Shop in the neighboring West Village has a stellar reputation for their repair and rental services, and if you’re in the market for an electric bike, there’s a Brompton storefront on Bleecker St. But the absolute best part of biking in Greenwich Village is its easy access to the Hudson River Greenway bike trails to the west. Fully separated from Manhattan traffic, the greenway spans almost 13 miles and benefits from breathtaking waterfront views. Take it all the way north to Inwood Hill Park, or south to Battery Park for a shorter ride.

Sunnyside, Queens

Biking in New York isn’t just reserved for Manhattanites, as evidenced by one of our favorite biking neighborhoods across the five boroughs: Sunnyside, Queens. Multiple CitiBike stations are peppered along the main drags of Queens Blvd and Northern Blvd. There’s no large park in the nabe, making green biking trails unfortunately sparse. And while there are admittedly less bike lanes in Sunnyside compared to nearby locales like Jackson Heights and Ridgewood, it’s probably the best location for bikers who have to commute daily to other boroughs. Simply hop on the Queensboro Bridge Greenway for easy access to Manhattan’s 59th St., or the Kosciuszko Bridge Walkway and Bike Path to get to Brooklyn. For tune-ups and parts, head to Bills Cyclery in nearby Woodside or Sunnyside E-Bikes if applicable.

Ridgewood, Queens

Ridgewood is another gem of a Queens cycling neighborhood. With multiple CitiBike stations along Seneca Ave, there are plenty of opportunities to rent a set of wheels to get wherever you need to go. Or if you just want to go for a scenic ride, you can try the nearby bike trails in Forest Park (named one of StreetEasy’s most underrated NYC parks!) or around the Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park. And don’t forget to visit Joyride Bikes or Haven Cycles for repairs and accessories.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn

Prospect Lefferts Gardens is known for its historic brownstones, but did you also know that it’s a great place for Brooklyn bikers? With 18 CitiBike stations located within its borders and easy access to the protected bike lanes that run along Bergen and Dean Streets, cycling in PLG is a walk in the park. And speaking of — we couldn’t talk about biking in New York without mentioning Prospect Park. It contains a 3.35 mile loop with a lane specifically for biking, and it’s always car-free on the weekends for extra safety. For convenient service in the neighborhood, look no further than Burrowes Brothers Bikes which boasts a pizza bar inside its shop. Tune-ups with a side of pepperoni? Sign us up!

Downtown Brooklyn/DUMBO

A hub of government, finance, and commerce, Downtown Brooklyn is a bustling neighborhood that houses a number of excellent bike shops: Bicycle Station and the appointment-only Redbeard Bikes are not to be missed if you want to purchase and maintain your own bike. Those who prefer to rent their wheels can take their pick from 28 convenient CitiBike stations. If you’re nervous about navigating over the brick streets of DUMBO, the Brooklyn Greenway provides much smoother pathways that run parallel to the East River. Follow it down to Red Hook in the south, or all the way up to Greenpoint to the north. 

Bedford Park, Bronx

Biking in the Bronx is an absolute breeze, especially in Bedford Park. It possesses 23 CitiBike stations total and is close to the many beautiful bike trails in Van Cortlandt Park. What’s more, Grand Juvenile on Grand Concourse is a long-standing institution that has been fixing bikes in the neighborhood for years. The shop doesn’t have a website, but their Google reviews consistently praise their fair pricing and fast service.

Heartland Village, Staten Island

Our last featured neighborhood for great biking in New York is located in the oft-overlooked borough of Staten Island. While the Staten Island Railway provides transportation across the island, there are multiple neighborhoods that are bike friendly, too. We’re shining a spotlight on Heartland Village, which benefits from close proximity to the 4 mile out-and-back multipurpose trail in Latourette Park.

In addition to this lush and picturesque trail, there’s a protected bike lane across the middle of the neighborhood along Travis Ave. And though there’s no cycling shop directly in the heart of Heartland Village, the highly rated Bike Shop is located just on the other side of Latourette Park in Eltingville.