Bicycle Lanes & Paths in NYC

If you only walked, took the subway and drove in New York, you might not know how many bike lanes and paths there are. You can always look at the official map, or check out this google maps overlay. Either way, the truth is there isn't always a lane or path where it says there is. But for the most part, it's pretty helpful.

Here are some shots of bicycle infrastructure in New York from our petite tour de Manhattan yesterday...

These were some of the best lanes we found all day - they were completely separate from the car traffic and had wonderful views of the East River and Brooklyn.

Looking east from the above bike path.

By chance, this bike path runs right by one of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson's "New York City Waterfalls." No water falling, as you can see. It's supposed to begin June 26.

As always, having lots of 'gear' doesn't mean that you know how to ride in the right lane. His gloves, helmet and spandex, didn't stop him from riding north in the southbound lane. Imagine if a car did that...

This was a beautiful bike path in Lower Manhattan. Again, completely separate from the other traffic, with it's own stoplights, not a common site in the US.

More of the Lower Manhattan bike path, which runs East/West connecting the East side path with the West side path.

It passes the World Trade Center site, which is still under construction with very little progress. Apparently we can have an 8 year war, but we can't re-make a building.

The construction is interfering with the bike path, just a bit here...

Once on the West side - the path is continuous and beautiful all the way up the side of Manhattan. Although, again, some construction is diverting pedestrian traffic onto the bike path.

He has at least 9 wheels... Fun for the kid I bet!

The West side bike path passess all kind of things, many helipads, piers, parks, interesting neighborhoods and Frank Gehry's first building in NYC, the IAC Building.

The IAC Building again.

The bike lane passes the Hudson River skate park. I'm still getting the hang of taking photos while riding, but it's so much easier on this smooth riding Velorbis Churchill Classic, yes it is.

I was suprised to pass a Ghost Bike here on this segregated bike path, though it was at an intersection where huge tour buses cross.

Wow, I guess they've added WiFi to the west side parks. Once I get photographing and riding down, I'll have to work on blogging while riding...

There are a few points where you can leave the West side bike path and go into the city, this is at 10th St. While it is a bike route, there is no lane, no paint - just these signs.

Heading home across the Williamsburg Bridge in twilight is always beautiful. There are segregated bike lanes on both sides of the bridge elevated above the car traffic and the subway runs through the middle.

BREAKING NEWS: Just as I was writing this, I heard lots of bike bells ringing out the window - I went to investigate and it was the Tour de Brooklyn passing on the street below... The police are escorting the cyclists, temporarily turning the whole street into a bike lane for them. Since they had a police escort, I'm not sure why so many of them felt the need to dress like construction workers... That said, I hope they had a fun and safe tour.