Yesterday, I was almost hit by a cab while on my bike, thinking about this bike guide. Granted, I maaaay have sped through the intersection when the traffic light was yellow, but the cabbie pushed forward recklessly too, before his light turned green. When he hit the brakes, tires screeching, we locked eyes. There was swearing.There were hand gestures. Then we each moved on.

The moral of this story? Besides the obvious, which is “ride safe” and “bikers and cabbies just don’t get along”? The moral is that riding through New York, you’re constantly reminded you’re riding through New York. Your thoughts may wander, you may get distracted, but one minute later, someone opens their car door or—conversely—you’re struck by a beautiful view of the Hudson. The city is a physical object—treacherous, but waiting to be covered and conquered.

At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m going a mean 12mph.

The next few pages feature four tours of New York, offering terrific views, with a few rough patches for fun. We also cover bike shops and community rides, like the Five Boro. Our goal is to celebrate the city as a bikeable landscape. See you there—and bring your helmets.

Michael Freidson
Editor, Time Out New York

	The perfect waterfront ride: It’s possible to circumnavigate Manhattan in an (almost) perfect loop.
	The perfect bike-friendly ride: Yes, you can grab a beer without getting your bike stolen, thanks to this Manhattan trek.
	The perfect Queens ride: Seriously. Wind around leafy streets, bayside views and an abandoned fort.
	The perfect Brooklyn ride: Pedal from Red Hook to Manhattan Beach, with two bridges along the way.
	What’s the wheelie, yo?: Where to buy your next bike.
	Roll with it!: Grab your helmet—and a friend. Big events are coming up.
	Cheap bikes!!!: Find out where to get great rides that won't slim down your wallet.
	Spring biking tune-up tips: City grease monkeys explain how to shape up your neglected two-wheeler for another riding season.
	My favorite bike ride: TONY is crawling with avid cyclists. A few of them share their favorite places to pedal.
	Biking video tips: The passionate cyclists at StreetFilms share clips on secure locking, Bike Month and other fun and useful topics.