Central Park Conservancy


Go for a Bike RideBicycle Riding 

Offering both hilly and flat terrain, Central Park provides cyclists with varying levels of difficulty.

Where:

  • Park Drives: Circling the entire Park, the drives provide three long-distance routes — 6.1 miles, 5.2 miles or 1.7 miles — or shorter distances if you cross the Park at a number of scenic locations. Cycling is prohibited on all pedestrian pathways. Cyclists are required to obey all traffic laws, such as traffic signals, stop signs, and a 25 mph speed limit, though it is recommended they travel at a speed appropriate to their surroundings.  They must always travel counterclockwise. Cyclists must use only the outer half of the recreation lane when the drives are open to cars; when they are closed to cars, cyclists must stay out of the recreation lane, which is for runners and walkers only. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.  At crosswalks, cyclists must slow down, yield, and then proceed cautiously. 
     
  • Rentals: It is possible to rent bicycles at the Loeb Boathouse parking lot at East 74th Street, daily from March through October. Please call 212-517-2233 for hours, prices, and all other details.

When: The Park is closed to traffic on Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am the following morning, and weekends from 7:00 pm Friday to 7:00 am Monday.  In addition, the East Drive is closed weekday mornings (open only 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm), and the West Drive is closed weekday afternoons (open only 7:00 am - 10:00 am).  When the Park is open to traffic, a bikers' lane is always available though we do not recommend using the Drives when they are open to traffic. The Park is officially closed from 1:00 am to 6:00 am.

Permit Requirement: No permit is required.

Law: The law requires that children under 14 years of age wear a helmet; however, it is recommended that all cyclists wear a helmet.

Links: For more information and a list of events, click on the Century Road Club Association, a bicycle racing club for everyone, and New York Cycle Club, an educational and recreational organization for bicycle enthusiasts in New York City.