Summer Fun Guide 2016: The Best Biking For Kids In NYC

There’s nothing quite like exploring New York City by bike. Whether your child is old enough to ride his or her own, or is still at the age where they need to ride along with mom or dad, these local bike paths offer a delightful mix of scenery and open road.

For a complete guide to all bike paths in all five boroughs, visit nycbikemaps.com, and for information on  learn-to-ride classes and local biking events, check out bike.nyc!

For our complete 2016 Summer Family Fun Guide, click HERE!

Central Park: While Central Park is great for long walks, boating, admiring beautiful architecture, or going on picnic dates, the Drives area is also perfect for cycling (though they can get crowded). You can rent bikes on a seasonal basis at Tavern on the Green and Merchants’ Gate Plaza, as well as Columbus Circle South and West. centralparknyc.org

Governors-Island-Bikes-and-Surreys
Surrey riding on Governors Island. Photo via blazingsaddles.com

Governors Island:  Car-free Governors Island is the ideal place to freely cruise on two wheels. Bring your own bike or rent one, and every Monday through Friday from 10am to noon, the island provides bikes you can take out for up to one hour for freegovisland.com

Fire Island: Also lacking cars and advocating beachy barefoot riders, Fire Island is the perfect place to cycle.  Ride through sandy roads looping around seaside houses or on the shoreline and discover cute restaurants and shops along your way. nps.gov

Highbridge Park: Head to Manhattan’s Highbridge Park to ride the city’s first mountain biking course (oh, and check out the city’s oldest standing bridge). The course is 25 percent beginner, 25 percent intermediate and 50 percent expert, so there’s something for bikers of all levels. Plus, if you tire of biking, there’s also a world-class skate park. nycgovparks.org

Hudson River Greenway:  The Hudson River Greenway spans from Battery Park all the way to Dyckman Street in Inwood . You’ll pass the Little Red Lighthouse (under the George Washington Bridge),  and Grant’s Tomb (at 122nd and Riverside Drive). hudsonriverpark.org 

Ocean Parkway Bike Path:  Stretching from Prospect Park to Coney Island in Brooklyn runs the country’s oldest bike path, completed in 1894!  The path is separated from cars and intersects with cross streets at every block, so you can easily take a break from riding whenever you please. nycgovparks.org

Pelham Bay Park: NYC’s largest park  offers 5 miles of bike paths that provide opportunities to see all the natural wonders the park has to offer, including Turtle Cove –a favorite spot for egrets and herons. nycgovparks.org

The Prospect Park Loop: The LeFrak Center at Lakeside in the park offers a variety of specialty bikes  for rental, including a single surrey (which holds three adults and two small children) and a low-riding “chopper,” as well as tandem bikes and cruisers. prospectpark.org

Rockaway Gateway Greenway:  This paved pathway around Jamaica Bay is great for cyclists of all skill levels who want to see a diverse array of bird, marine, and other wildlife. You can find biking events, such as the Rockspot community-led bicycle tours, and the Rockaway Bike Parade, herenps.gov

Roosevelt Island: If you wish to venture out of the bustling city, Roosevelt Island is a viable option for bike riding in a less busy area.  There are plenty of protected car-free sections along the water for you and your family to enjoy a day of cycling–plus the kids will get a kick out of taking the Roosevelt Island Tram over the East River. rioc.com

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Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

The Tutorverse

<p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Join The Tutorverse for the highest quality in academic enrichment and test preparation! Whether your student is gearing up for the </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">state exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, or SAT/ACT</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">, our team of </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">experienced and local professional educators</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> can help. Have your student join a </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">small-group class</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> at our downtown or Upper East Side locations. Or, they can meet with a </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">private tutor when and where it’s most convenient for your family</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">. Does your student need help building study skills or improving grades? Whether your middle or high schooler needs help with </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">STEM or humanities</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">, our patient and affirming tutors will teach them how to build </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">confidence and content mastery</strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">. </span><a style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Send us an email</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> or give us a call—we'd love to hear more about how we can help!</span></p>

The Little Gym of Bay Ridge- Bensonhurst

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">At The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurt, we specialize in unique, educational classes that revolve around active play. We give children a safe and inspiring space to direct their energy, build confidence, and develop key skills. Explore the range of classes we offer at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst to find the one that’s just right for your child. </span></p>