Is Biking in New York City a Viable Option for Residents?

If you live in New York, you know you can get around in different ways. You might hop on a train and head to one of the other boroughs. You can always hail a cab or grab an Uber, though those options can get expensive.

You might look into affordable helicopter tours of New York City, though you can hardly get to work that way. You can also buy a car, though you must find street parking if you don’t have a garage.

You can get a bike, though, and that prospect might appeal. We will talk about owning and using a bike in NYC right now.

Is It Safe?

First, we should mention the safety issues that go with biking in New York. You can buy a bike, and they don’t cost much. You can get one much cheaper than a car.

You will also find many bike lanes throughout the five boroughs. To the city’s credit, you might currently see bike lanes on many major streets and plenty of less-traveled ones.

However, some cars don’t respect cyclists all that much. They might not slow down if they’re coming up behind you, and some of the drivers will give you a bump or nudge that could prove disastrous.

If you do bike in New York, you should certainly wear a helmet. It’s not hyperbolic to say that it could save your life.

The Weather

You should also consider the weather. The weather in NYC can get very nice in the spring, summer, and early fall. If you have a pleasant day in May and it’s 60 degrees, you might bike to work and feel great about it.

If it’s February and it’s 10 degrees, though, you probably won’t enjoy biking. The wind blowing off the water can turn you into a popsicle, and if it’s snowing or raining, biking isn’t exactly a pleasant option.

How Far Will You Go?

You must also consider your destination when biking in New York. If you’re headed to work, and you work at a brick-and-mortar store location ten minutes away, you should do fine, provided you have some nice weather.

If you live in Brooklyn, though, and you work in the Bronx, you probably can’t bike there. You can, but it will take you hours, and presumably, you can’t tackle that trip twice every day.

The Verdict

If you own a bike in New York, you can do certain things with it, and some you can’t. You can bike around the neighbourhood and get some exercise, and you can take your bike to your job if you don’t work far away.

If it’s winter, you must probably put the bike away till spring. You should also avoid the streets with heavy traffic, like Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. You should definitely wear a helmet at all times, and you should also try a different option if you’re commuting to a job in another borough.