Renting a bike in New York

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Renting a bike in New York is a cheap, active way to see a large part of Manhattan. It’s also a sustainable way to explore the city. Choose Central Park bike rental, discover Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge or cycle along the Hudson River. You can also bike to other places, as there are bicycle paths all over New York. Renting a bike online is easy and saves you money. The bike rentals in New York below are from companies that I’ve personally tested. Booked in advance, bike hire in New York won’t cost you more than a few pounds.

Eric's Index

1 Bike rentals in Central Park
- 1.1 Practical Information
2 Bike Rentals for the Brooklyn Bridge
- 2.1 Practical Information
3 FAQ

Bike rentals in Central Park

Why not rent a bike to discover Central Park? This bike rental in Central Park is situated only a few blocks from the park’s entrance, so you can pick up your bike and start cycling right away. There are special bicycle lanes in Central Park. You’re allowed to bike on the main recreation road. All traffic in the park is one-way, so you can only cycle in an anticlockwise direction. The scenic routes in the park are closed to cars.

If you want to stop and explore the park, you can always continue walking your bike. This way, you can visit Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, Jackie Onassis Reservoir and Belvedere Castle. It’s also a great way to visit the various museums around the park. Cycling in Central Park is especially good if you’re a less experienced biker or a family with young children. If you’d rather not cycle alone, consider joining a bike tour in New York instead of opting for Central Park bicycle rental.

Rent a bike to discover Central Park here
Rent an electric bike to discover Central Park here

Practical Information

After purchasing, you’ll receive a voucher you can print out or show on your smartphone to pick up the bike.

Departure point: Midtown, a few blocks from Central Park
Price: from £4 per hour ( £5 per hour when you rent a bike for 1 hour)
Opening times:
- 1 November – 31 March: 8:00 – 17:00
- 1 April – 31 October: 8:00 – 20:00
Minimum age: suitable for all ages
Note: Bike helmet, lock and basket are included in the price. Children’s seats and bike trailers can be rented on the spot.

Eric’s Tip: “If you are planning to rent a bike, make sure to book online before you travel. Bike rentals in New York are much cheaper online (up to 60% less!) than renting on the spot, and you can even do it the day before. Rent the bikes for at least 2 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the park. Of course, you’ll also pay less per hour the longer you rent. Want to get a bike for a whole day? You can also book a bike rental with a picnic included.”

Bike Rentals for the Brooklyn Bridge

Cycling is also a great way to discover Lower Manhattan. You can cycle through Downtown Manhattan, over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, you can ride around the nice streets of this borough, towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on your bike and head back to Manhattan.

Brooklyn Bridge has since 2021 separate bike and walking lanes so you won’t be able to get an iconic photo or have good views of the skyline; you have to walk across the bridge for that. For a bike ride through Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, pick up your bike at a bicycle rental close to the Brooklyn Bridge and City Hall in Lower Manhattan.

Book your bike rental for the Brooklyn Bridge here

Practical Information

After purchasing, you’ll receive a voucher you can print out or show on your smartphone to pick up the bike.

Departure point: Close to City Hall Park
Price: from £4 per hour ( £7 per hour when you rent a bike for 1 hour)
Opening times:
- 1 November – 31 March: 9:00 – 17:00
- 1 April – 31 October: 9:00 – 19:00
Minimum age: suitable for all ages
Bike helmet, lock and basket are included in the price. Children’s seats and bike trailers can be rented on the spot.

FAQ

In New York, bicycle rental is available at hourly and full-day rates. Prices start from as little as £4 per hour. Book online in advance to save money!

Yes, you can ride a bicycle in Central Park. There are dedicated one-way bike lanes around the park.

In New York, children under the age of 14 are required by law to wear a bicycle helmet. Adults don't have to wear one, but it is highly advisable due to heavy traffic.

Yes, you can rent a bike for Central Park. There are regular bikes for adults and kids as well as tandem and e-bikes you can rent. The helmet, lock and basket are included in the price.

A full loop around Central Park is around 6.1 miles (10 km). Cycling around the entire park will take about 45 minutes depending on your bike and how busy the park is. You can take a shorter loop and visit the southern half of the park, but allow at least 30 minutes or even longer for this if you want to stop at different points of interest.

Yes, cycling is becoming increasingly common in New York, so the city is getting more and more geared towards cyclists. If you stick to biking on the designated bike paths, it's a safe way of exploring the city.

The Citi Bike rental bikes are everywhere in the city, but they're also very expensive, since you pay a starting rate, plus an extra amount per minute. I recommend the bike rental I share on my page, as this is a cheaper option.

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