See the Big Apple on a Bicycle

New York City is one of the most visited cities in the world. There is a lot to see and a lot to do. There are movie stars and other famous people, as well as some of the most famous stores in the world. It has everything you can imagine. But now it’s time to see New York City in a different way and this is by bicycle.

Many of us who have visited the city have seen it on foot, by taxi, or another means. What some do not know is that there are bicycle tours that are available. This allows the city to be seen in a different way. So while you’re getting your tourist on, you can get your fitness on as well.

The minimum price for a tour is $95 and these tours are available every day of the week. They are called “On Demand Tours” and it’s because they can be customized and at the time you need. The price of the tour is going to vary based upon the number of participants and the length of the tour. But what is nice about a guided bicycle tour is the fact that you can see areas that tourists tend to not be able to see. You get to see the vibrant neighborhoods, the many parks, and a lot of surprises. Even the most congested areas of the city are more navigable by bicycle and you can cover more ground than you would on foot.

Some of the on demand tours include tours of the East Side and West Side, Northern Manhattan, The Bronx, The bridges, Queens, Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Harlem. The city is so big that it is difficult to cover the entire thing, so the way to do it is to choose a tour that you feel would suit you best. I personally like the bridge tours because you get to see some of the city and the unique bridges. Being on the bridges also provide you with a very unique views of the city. The structures are so impressive.

You do get to take breaks along the way. Of course, the length of the tour will determine how many breaks and whether or not you stop for meals. You may even stop in areas where you can buy souvenirs. Of course, the heavy shopping has to be reserved for when you’re not on the bicycle tour, but what you see gives you an idea of what you may want to explore more in depth on your own time. What’s more is that you can make note of an area you want to return to and return to it later. The bicycle tour is a great way to create a mental map of Manhattan. 

And in honor of all of the lives lost on September 11, 2001, here is a shot of the New York Skyline that I took when on a boat tour around Manhattan Island before it was altered forever (don't mind my friend's elbow. She kept getting in my way):