For a city as progressive, proactive and cutting-edge as New York, a public bike-share program was a long time coming. After all, pedallers in Amsterdam have been sharing bikes since 1965 and in nearby Washington DC, a successful scheme has been operating for more than five years.
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New Yorkers almost got their system in 2012 but then Hurricane Sandy swept into town, causing havoc and damaging thousands of bikes stored at the Brooklyn Navy Yards.
At long last the Citi Bike bike-sharing scheme made its grand debut on Memorial Day in 2013, rolling out 6000 bikes in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn (10,000 is the ultimate goal).
Predictably, there was controversy. New Yorkers protested the construction of hundreds of docking stations, claiming they gobbled up already scarce street parking spaces and marred the NYC streetscapes, particularly in historic and picturesque neighbourhoods.
Complain away they did (hey, this is Noo Yawk, where complaining is an art form) and yet 25,000 annual passes were snapped up in the first week.
Today the blue bikes are seen everywhere, as much a part of the urban landscape as yellow cabs and hotdog vendors. Celebs including Leo DiCaprio, Seth Meyers and Kevin Bacon pedal around town along with thousands of New Yorkers.
To join them, pick up a Citi Bike day pass, throw on some comfortable shoes and follow this city trail:
Start your day at the High Line, a linear public park on the site of a former railroad, elevated high above street level. The park runs from Gansevoort Street (three blocks below West 14th Street) up to 34th Street and is popular with joggers, photographers, canoodlers and fresh-air enthusiasts.
Pick up your first Citi Bike of the day at the corner of Washington Street and Gansevoort Street and start pedaling north or, if time is short, start your ride from the dock at West 22nd Street and 10th Avenue.
Ride north along the High Line, looking out on your left for gorgeous views of the Hudson River. A changing roster of art and performance installations along the High Line might tempt you to stop and sit awhile.
Dock the bike at 34th Street Herald Square and arrive at Macy's, Manhattan's iconic mega-department store. Renovated and refurbed recently to the tune of $400 million, the 110-year-old flagship now boasts a sensational shoe floor and expanded men's section. Show your passport at the Visitor Information Centre to receive a Welcome International Savings Card, which offers 10 per cent savings for 30 days.
If you've shopped up a storm, see the store concierge about delivering those shoe boxes and bags direct to your hotel. You've got more of the city to see, so head back to the bike dock at 34th Street Herald Square and pick up your ride.
From there it's an 11-block ride uptown to the dock at West 45th Street and 8th Avenue. Walk east for one block and you'll be in the heart of Times Square territory, where neon lights up the day and night sky and visitors from around the world flock to Broadway shows like Hamilton, Wicked and The Book of Mormon. Rest your feet with a time-out on the massive outdoor red staircase and watch the weird and wonderful world go by. Be sure to tip a dollar or two if you take a photo of the Naked Cowboy, Elmo or any of the other characters who make their living from posing on this block.
Shoppers will want to check out the Times Square stores for souvenirs and bargains, including the mega-outlets of Sephora, Forever 21 and M&Ms World.
If biking and shopping has worked up an appetite, refuel before you leave Times Square. Sardi's is an institution, famous for the hundreds of caricatures of celebs on its walls – and the constant stream of real-life celebs who drop by for a pre- or post-show drink. Burgers and fries more your poison? Then make haste to Shake Shack, Danny Meyer's temple of fried delights, frozen custards (the thickest thickshake you ever had) and lip-smacking hot dogs.
Head back to the bike dock at West 45th Street and 8th Avenue and peddle - albeit at a slower pace, now weighted down – northeast to West 51st Street and 6th Avenue. Dock here for easy access to MoMA, one of New York's most celebrated art museums. Don't miss the MoMA Store for design objects, art books, unique jewellery and items you won't find anywhere else. Gift-giving, sorted.
A stone's throw away, New York's great cathedral, St Patrick's, played host to Pope Francis on his recent NYC visit. Walk-in tours are offered - with dates and details on the site –, while millions of visitors each year drop in for a moment of quiet reflection in the city that never sleeps. The Cathedral's neo-Gothic spires and façade form one of the most dramatic landmarks in the city.
To take in even more landmarks, head up to Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Centre. From here you'll have one of the best views of the city and beyond. With more time to meander, take a tour of Rockefeller Centre, an NBC Studios Tour (hello Jimmy Fallon and the set of Saturday Night Live) or a look around Radio City Music Hall.
Get back in the saddle at the same dock where you dropped off – West 51st Street and 6th Avenue – and ride north towards the entrance to Central Park on 59th Street. A leisurely ride around the lower part of the park is a snapshot of New York life, from preschoolers playing on the swings, to honeymooners in horsedrawn carriages, to joggers and rollerbladers and ice cream vendors. A half-hour ride here may not be enough time, so consider extending for an additional 30 minutes by returning, then borrowing another bike, at the dock on 57th Street and Broadway.
If time is on your side, pedal north of 59th Street. The Upper West Side and the Upper East Side are home to some of the best museums and galleries in the city, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Historical Society.
At the end of the day, congratulate yourself on experiencing the city like a true local.
TRIP NOTES
MORE INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
United Airlines flies a daily direct service from Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles and San Francisco, with connections to New York. 13 17 77, unitedairlines.com.
STAYING THERE
Affinia Hotels offers eight boutique hotels in key Manhattan destinations, including Upper East Side, Times Square and Murray Hill.
Affinia.com; standard rooms from US$300. Complimentary use of customised Republic Bikes, a helmet, lock and map of bike-friendly routes is provided to guests at Affinia Dumont and Affinia Shelburne.
BIKING THERE
See citibikenyc.com for station maps and to download the app that shows available bikes and docking spots in real time. Purchase a pass on the spot at the Citi Bike station touchscreen kiosks. A 24-hour pass is US$9.95, 7-day pass is US$25 for unlimited 30-minute rides. Pay a little extra for longer rides.
If your NYC stay is longer than seven days, consider an annual pass for US$149 and gain access to unlimited 45-minute rides.
Helmet use is not mandated, though it is recommended for riders on the busy streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Kristie Kellahan travelled with the assistance of United Airlines.
