Recently, I took the plunge and bought a small one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Settling into my new place in Sutton Place, I decided I needed a way to get around the city, get some exercise, and enjoy the sights. Naturally, I thought buying a bicycle was a fantastic idea.
I headed over to Playtri and picked up a stunning Scott Addict. It features crisp disc brakes, though I skipped the automatic shifters. It is a genuinely beautiful machine—comfortable, sleek, and incredibly easy to ride.
But as I quickly discovered, riding a beautiful bike is one thing. Riding a beautiful bike in New York City is an entirely different sport.
The Concrete Jungle: Sutton Place to Central Park
If you have never ridden a bike in Manhattan, let me paint a picture for you. You do not just pedal; you survive.
My goal was simple: make it from my apartment to Central Park without causing a traffic incident. After some trial and error, I finally mapped out a decent route. From Sutton Place, I take 55th Street all the way across town to 6th Avenue. It spans a little over a mile and features a bike lane.
While the lane on 55th Street is not physically protected from traffic, it is actually pretty good. That is, of course, until you encounter the classic New York City obstacles. On any given day, the bike lane doubles as a parking spot for garbage trucks, delivery vans, and people casually unloading their groceries.
When my path is blocked, I have to carefully merge around them into live traffic. During these stretches, my speedometer hovers around a blistering five to seven miles an hour. I ride with my head on a swivel, entirely focused on one simple mission: do not hit anyone, and please, do not let anyone hit me.
The 6th Avenue Obstacle Course
Once I survive the gauntlet of 55th Street, I turn onto 6th Avenue to head straight up into Central Park.
On paper, 6th Avenue is a cyclist’s dream because it boasts a protected bike lane. In reality, it is a bit of a construction zone. Various stretches of the bike lane are completely blocked off due to ongoing roadwork, forcing me to improvise. Navigating around orange cones and sudden lane closures definitely keeps my heart rate up before I even reach the park.
Conquering the Park (Or So I Thought)
Entering Central Park felt like a massive victory. The air felt slightly cleaner, the frantic energy of the grid melted away, and I finally had space to let the Scott Addict do what it was built for.
This was my second time making it to Central Park from my apartment.
I rode into the park and eventually cut across to the West Side at the first traverse I found. I felt incredibly proud of myself. The rolling hills of Central Park provided a fantastic workout. As I climbed, I could really feel my glutes and quads engaging. It reminded me of the rolling hills at the Old Westbury campus, though the inclines I hit in the park that day were not quite as severe.
Talk with My Daughter…
When I finished my ride, I called my daughter to brag about successfully navigating the city and my triumphant Central Park loop. I casually mentioned cutting across the traverse.
“Which traverse did you take?” she asked.
“I think I went far enough,” I replied, feeling confident.
“The main traverse to cross over is up on 102nd Street,” she noted.
I paused. “I think I was very short of that.”
She looked at Strava and laughed. “You cut across way too soon! You were only on the 72nd Street traverse.”
Oye! No wonder my triumphant park loop felt so short. She then hit me with the ultimate reality check: I did not even make it far enough to go over Cat Hill. Shoot. I definitely missed Harlem Hill, too.
In a text message, she wrote:
“There are two major traverses, one at 72nd and one at 102. You just have to be aware of the various points in the park you’ll notice at 72nd. There’s a major traverse, and then you immediately see the boathouse, and you go up Cat Hill. Once you get to the top of Cat Hill, you’re at 79th. There’s now a downhill, then on your right is the Met, which basically spans all of the 80s. When you get to the end of the Met, it’s a major intersection where you see people walking through a lot of open space. Then you enter into a very long straight path. This is now the 80s and 90s. Once you’re out of the long straight stretch, you start to go into a little bit of curves. Now you’re in the 90s. You’ll then keep an eye on your left because the traverse will be at 102, and you’ll see people going towards the left.”
I am looking at those missed hills as a challenge. I am waiting to conquer Harlem Hill for another time in the near future, once I actually figure out where I am going.
The Journey Home: Bridge Traffic and Navigation Woes
If getting to the park was an adventure, coming home was a tactical mission.
Instead of exiting the park at 7th Avenue like a seasoned local, I got off at Central Park South. The traffic looked intimidating, so I swallowed my pride, dismounted, and walked my bike over to 5th Avenue.
Standing on the corner, I actually had to pull out my phone and stare at the NYC bike map to figure out how to get back across town. I am still learning the grid from a cyclist’s perspective, and it is humbling.
After looking around, I decided to walk my bike down to 61st Street before finally hopping back on and riding across to 2nd Avenue. I completely forgot that the 59th Street Bridge dumps a massive amount of aggressive vehicle traffic right into that area. I had to carefully thread my way through the bridge traffic, gripping my handlebars a little tighter than usual.
Finally, I turned down 54th Street, rode two blocks east, and arrived back at my apartment. I maneuvered my bike down the stairs and into the service elevator, took a deep breath, and felt a massive sense of relief. (I’m still waiting for a bike spot in the building. I was told there would be one available when I moved in. I’m still waiting three months later.)
Actionable Tips for New NYC Cyclists
If you are a new rider trying to navigate Manhattan, here are a few things I learned the hard way:
Always check for lane closures
Apps like Google Maps and dedicated cycling apps are great, but they do not always account for daily construction. Be prepared to adapt your route on the fly, especially on major avenues like 6th Avenue.
Keep your head up
The bike lane is rarely just a bike lane. Expect pedestrians, delivery workers, and parked trucks. Ride defensively and never assume the path ahead is clear.
Learn the park traverses
Central Park is massive. If you want a real workout, look at a map before you start riding. Know the difference between the 72nd Street cut-through and the 102nd Street traverse so you do not accidentally skip the best hills.
Do not be afraid to walk
There is zero shame in getting off your bike and walking it down the sidewalk if an intersection feels too dangerous. Central Park South and the areas around major bridges can be incredibly chaotic. Put your safety first.
Getting Better Every Ride
Moving to Sutton Place South and buying a bike has been a wild transition. The learning curve is steep, and I clearly have a long way to go before I can call myself a seasoned city cyclist.
I need to memorize the traverses, conquer Cat Hill, and eventually face the infamous Harlem Hill. But despite the garbage trucks, the construction, and the occasional navigational blunder, I love it. Riding the Scott Addict is a joy, and navigating the city is getting just a little bit better and a little less terrifying every time I go out.
