Biking has really become a big part of NYC’s commuting culture. It is a fast, easy, fun, and inexpensive way to get around, especially during the nice weather. Who wants to be stuck underground or in traffic when you can zip right up the waterfront bike lanes and enjoy the view? Everyone seems to be riding bikes now and on some streets in the city I see way more bikers than drivers.
Up until last year, I was terrified to ride a bike around the city. The streets can sometimes be dangerous with potholes, cars and pedestrians swarming around. I used to think it was an unnecessary risk to hop on two wheels with only a helmet to protect you from road-rage drivers in bumper-to-bumper traffic and crowds of people. But lately I have been singing a totally different tune. Recently, I joined the ranks of the Citi-Bike riders and I am totally loving it.
The last time I rode a bike, I was probably a teenager, but I am getting much more confident on the streets. It can get a little wild on the roads so I try to stick to the bike paths when I can. There is an incredibly detailed bike map available for download on the NYC DOT website. Here in NYC, there are miles and miles of designated bike routes that are easy for any experience level.
I started biking up to Ryder’s school to pick him up, and then we take the subway home so we can chat about our days. The ride along the water in this amazing weather is perfection. The Citi Bikes are stationed all over the city so I can pick one up downtown (literally right outside my apartment building) and drop it off near Ryder’s school on the Upper West Side. It is convenient, fun and significantly cheaper than hopping in a cab every day! Plus, I get to have a little me time while I cruise up the waterfront.
My schedule is pretty hectic and I rarely have time to focus on working out, but biking is an amazing workout. It is so important to stay active and healthy so I can keep up with my kids. And now it has become an activity I can do with my whole family on the weekends. All three kiddies have bikes now, so Jason and I will just take a Citi Bike out for day. And speaking of health, I’m excited that Citi Bike has partnered with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care to promote healthy lifestyle and the importance of receiving quality care. You can spot the GoHealth Urgent Care Citi Bikes all around NYC. GoHealth Urgent Care centers are convenient urgent care providers that allow online check-in and seamless patient experiences. GoHealth Urgent Care is in network with most insurance plans (even Medicare and Medicaid).
CitiBike and GoHealth Urgent Care have come up with helpful bike safety Tips as well:
Wear a Helmet that fits! Helmets are essential for bike riding but making sure the helmet fits properly is key.
Be cautious! It may be easy to zone out and enjoy the view but it is important to be aware of your surroundings and that includes not only cars but pedestrians, too.
Learn the rules of the road: NYC biking regulations can be found on the DOT website, too.
Wear Proper Footwear…like I needed an excuse to buy shoes.
Wear Proper handbag/bags like a messenger bag or cross-body bag to keep your center of gravity low (no backpacks).
One of the most important tips (on or off the bike) is to know where to go if you get injured! Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care can handle all non-life-threatening bumps, scrapes and fractures. They have x-ray capabilities and can diagnose and treat sprains and fractures.
I hope to not have to visit Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care for a bike-riding injury because I am outfitted in safety equipment, like a snazzy helmet, and I try to stick to the safe and easy bike paths, but cold and flu season are coming up and I really can’t afford to be out of commission with three kiddos! It is always great to have an urgent care facility lined up to treat illnesses quickly.
Visit the Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care website and the CitiBike App for tips on staying healthy and active!
19 thoughts on “Biking In The City”
We’ve rented these in Boston, too! They are a great way to get around.
I love the Citi Bike program. My city doesn’t offer it, but I enjoy seeing it in other larger cities and think it would be amazing to bike places instead of having to worry about a car!
Biking is the best way to get around the city if you’re not pressed for time. We love to rent bikes for the day and bike around Atlanta. It’s so much fun!
I wish we could rent bikes where we live. When I was in San Francisco, I saw rental bikes and I though they were such a brilliant idea.
I really like biking, but I don’t do it often. I need to get back into it.
That sounds like a great program. I haven’t ridden a bike in ages.
It’s so nice to be able to go biking around the city without worrying about your safety! I’m sure you’re at ease because you know that you’re taken care of.
That sounds like a lot of fun! I love that there’s an app that ensures your health and has a bike map too! This is definitely something that will keep people active!
I love that there’s a bike map, it’s perfect especially if you’re not familiar with which roads/streets are safe for you. It’s really awesome to have this app especially if you’re in NYC!
It’s really cool that these are stationed in multiple places in the city! Cutting down on the driving when you can is a great idea!
We live in Atlanta where there’s a similar bike system. I need to make note of where the bikes are next time we are downtown.
I love the citi bikes! All the big cities have them now and it’s so much easier to commute, especially for work. Safety is important and you should always have your gear!
That is a refreshing sight! I think it is great that you are taking initiative to bike around the city!
What a fun way to explore the city! I love that there are bikes available so you can grab one and go.
Glad you are able to stay safe when you are out riding. Knowing where to find medical help is helps a lot if there’s an emergency.
What an awesome idea. I wish we had that here. Biking will not only give you some much needed exercise, but you do get to enjoy some sunshine and great views!
It is great for Citibank to partner with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care! Bike riding is an activity I enjoy. I wish we had that here in our city too. Thanks for sharing your bike safety riding tips.
I am loving how more cities are becoming bike friendly. Over the last 2 years even here in Atlanta we have set ups similar to these.
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