Citi Bike Guide – Best Routes Through Manhattan and Brooklyn
Citi Bike is NYCs bike share system with 25,000+ bikes at 1,500+ stations. For $4.49 a single ride (30 min) or $17.99/month unlimited, its one of the best ways to see the city. Here are the best routes.
How Citi Bike Works
- Single ride: $4.49 for 30 minutes (unlock via app)
- Day pass: $19 for unlimited 30-min rides in 24 hours
- Monthly: $17.99/month for unlimited 45-min rides
- E-bikes: Available for extra $0.26/min (worth it for bridges and hills)
Route 1: Hudson River Greenway (Manhattan)
Distance: 11 miles one way. Start: Battery Park. End: George Washington Bridge. Completely car-free bike path along the Hudson River. Pass the World Trade Center, Chelsea Piers, Intrepid Museum, and Little Red Lighthouse. The best bike infrastructure in NYC.
Route 2: Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO Loop
Distance: 4 miles round trip. Start: City Hall station. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, loop through DUMBO waterfront, and return via Manhattan Bridge. Stop at Janes Carousel and the Washington Street photo spot.
Route 3: Central Park Loop
Distance: 6.1 miles. The full loop road is car-free. Mostly flat with one hill on the north end. Pass Bethesda Fountain, the Reservoir, Harlem Meer, and the Great Lawn. Counter-clockwise is the designated direction.
Route 4: Williamsburg to Greenpoint Waterfront
Distance: 3 miles one way. Start: Bedford Ave station. Ride along Kent Avenue waterfront bike lane. Pass Domino Park, the Williamsburg Bridge views, and end at Transmitter Park in Greenpoint for Manhattan skyline views.
Route 5: Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Distance: 3.35 miles loop. Car-free loop through Brooklyns biggest park. Flatter than Central Park. Pass the Boathouse, Long Meadow, and the lake.
Safety Tips
- Always ride WITH traffic, never against
- Use the bike lanes (painted green) — cars expect you there
- Watch for pedestrians stepping into bike lanes without looking
- Bridges have dedicated bike lanes — stay in them
- Helmet not required by law (for adults) but strongly recommended
- Lock the bike at a station every 30 min to avoid overage charges
We biked all these routes with a GoPro — watch on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.