The Top 8 Scenic Bike Routes in Brooklyn

If you tried to buy a bike in Brooklyn last summer during quarantine like me, you know that sales were backed up for months.

There were waitlists. With 300 miles of dedicated bike lanes, bike paths, and car-free greenways to choose from (more than any other borough!), bicycling seemed like the perfect thing to get us outside, while still staying safe.

There’s no better way to do that in Brooklyn than in the saddle, creating your own breeze on two wheels. Explore your own neighborhood, ride America’s oldest bike path (opened in 1894), or bike sections of one of the most ambitious city projects to date: the as-yet-incomplete Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

As Brooklyners well know, once the sun comes out, we burst out of our homes and apartments like commuters leaving a subway car that’s been… befouled.

So whether you own skin-tight spandex, padded shorts, and follow the Tour de France with all the excitement of a Nets championship, or are simply thinking about renting a City Bike for a day, Brooklyn has got you covered. Grab your helmet, fill up your water bottle, and get ready to explore the top eight most breathtaking bike routes in Brooklyn.

#8 Enjoy car-free cruising in Prospect Park.

Prospect Park is famous for being the largest park in Brooklyn, home to some of our boroughs greatest treasures like the Botanical Gardens, the Parade Grounds, and Prospect Park Zoo. But it’s also a wonderful place to get some quality riding time in, for beginners and experts alike (lookin’ at you, spandex speed-racers). The 3.35 mile loop around the park is ideal if you’re looking for an easy ride, or take a second spin to work up a sweat!

Since the park was declared completely car-free a few years ago, it’s a perfect place for kids to ride as well. Loop the loop and pick a spot for a socially-distanced picnic, or cruise through the inner paths to enjoy views of the lake. And if you don’t have a bike of your own, no worries! Rentals are available from the LeFrak Center at Lakeside

#7 Take a spin down America’s first bike path: Ocean Parkway.

If this is one of those historical facts that you never even thought about… you’re in good company. Turns out, one of Brooklyn’s hundreds of claims to fame is America’s oldest bike path, which opened in 1894. Your five-mile journey down Ocean Parkway begins just south of Prospect Park, traveling all the way to Coney Island. The dedicated bike path is exclusively on the west side of the street, so get your bearings and make sure you aren’t running over pedestrians.

If you want a safe spin through some of Brooklyn’s greatest hits, this is the path for you. The Parkway ushers you right past the pre-war brick apartments of Kensington, past the Washington Cemetery, down through tree-lined streets, and lands you right on Coney Island.

If this is one of those historical facts that you never even thought about… you’re in good company. Turns out, one of Brooklyn’s hundreds of claims to fame is America’s oldest bike path, which opened in 1894. Your five-mile journey down Ocean Parkway begins just south of Prospect Park, traveling all the way to Coney Island. The dedicated bike path is exclusively on the west side of the street, so get your bearings and make sure you aren’t running over pedestrians.

If you want a safe spin through some of Brooklyn’s greatest hits, this is the path for you. The Parkway ushers you right past the pre-war brick apartments of Kensington, past the Washington Cemetery, down through tree-lined streets, and lands you right on Coney Island.

#6 Explore Coney Island and Brighton Beach on two wheels.

Yes, it can be a tourist trap, but with good reason. There’s nothing like the excitement of the Coney Island Boardwalk during the summer. The sound of waves, gulls, music, laughing children…the scent of funnel cakes, Nathan’s hot dogs, and salt-water breezes…need I go on? Exploring Coney Island by bike gives you the freedom to enjoy the timeless charm at your own pace. Pedal around the boardwalk (carefully avoiding pedestrians) while enjoying views of the coasters and the sparkling ocean, or disembark for a more immersive experience at the New York Aquarium or MCU Park.

If you’re just coming down from Ocean Parkway, it can be a great rest stop to stick your toes in the sand and get a refreshing frozen treat. Ice cream for the kids… frozen margarita for you, perhaps?

#5 Cross the scenic Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan (or vice versa!)

Some might say the Williamsburg Bridge is not technically completely Brooklyn… but we’re not listening to them. Talk to any native and they’ll no doubt have strong opinions about the merits of the Brooklyn Bridge versus the Manhattan Bridge versus the Williamsburg Bridge… but for my money, the Williamsburg Bridge is best for bicycling.

Significantly less crowded than the Brooklyn Bridge, and with a better view (in our opinion) than the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge’s separate bike lane has the best of both worlds. Crossing in either direction, you’ll have spectacular views of Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lower East Side. Just make sure to bring your water… the bridge is pretty steep.

#4: Ride down Kent Avenue to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Meet up with your friends at Marsha P. Johnson State Park, (or let’s be real… Brooklyn Brewery or Brooklyn Flea), to begin a gorgeous ride that hugs the west side of Williamsburg. This is the first part of a path that will turn into the Brooklyn Greenway. Originally imagined by volunteer community members, this 26-mile landscaped route will eventually string together paths, parks, and open spaces from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge for the use of pedestrians, runners and cyclists.

From the park, the views of the Manhattan skyline across the East River are already stunning. But even more stunning is the ease of biking down Kent Avenue. Installed in 2009, Kent Avenue gets to brag about having NYC’s first two-way, on-street protected bike lane. No traffic to dodge, no weaving around pedestrians or open car doors. Enjoy your view of Manhattan and the river in safety.

Head south, waiting for cross-traffic at the Williamsburg Bridge, and enjoy sparkling views of the Lower East Side across the river. Hug right around the newly-renovated Naval Cemetery Landscape (or pop in and enjoy the wildflowers!), and finish up your easy 3-mile ride alongside the Brooklyn Navy Yard. If you’re feeling agricultural, try booking a tour of the fascinating Brooklyn Grange and enjoy even more jaw-dropping views of Manhattan. Or if that’s not enough for you, continue riding through Vinegar Hill to…

#2 Admire Staten Island and Gravesend Bay from the Shore Parkway.

Another segment of the as-yet-incomplete Brooklyn Greenway runs from Owl’s Head Park, through Bay Ridge and Bath Beach, ending at the newly-renovated Bensonhurst Park. Built alongside the Belt Parkway, this six-mile pedestrian and bike path curving along Brooklyn’s south edge is a joy to ride. With extraordinary views of lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Verrazano Bridge, it’s easy to get distracted by the frequent photo ops on a nice day.

If you’re in it to win it, however, the well-maintained tarmac and separate pedestrian lanes make this one of the rare places in the city where you can go all-out. Pedaling at top speed (helmeted, of course) through the fresh bay air and cry of seagulls is an exhilarating privilege, and almost impossible to do in the more densely-packed areas of the metropolis. And on to #1…

#1 Continue up from Floyd Bennett Field to Spring Creek Park

I personally may be slightly more biased towards natural views than city views, so take this all with a grain of salt.

The last of the partially-complete sections of the Brooklyn Greenway, this path curves over the northern side of Jamaica Bay for breathtaking views of the natural landscape. Floyd Bennett Field is a fun biking destination in and of itself, with well-preserved landing strips from the historic airfield making it a popular destination for cycling clubs and even races.

After you’re done zipping around the tarmac, you can head north along the Belt Parkway, passing the photogenic landscapes of Carnasie Park, panoramic views from the top of Shirley Chisholm State Park, and crossing over into Spring Creek Park in Queens. (Okay, we cheated a little. But the birdwatching!)

Looking over the splendor of Jamaica Bay, particularly at sunset, puts you in a completely different, magical world.

There are even more cycling paths planned in the future.

Like I mentioned before, cyclists have even more to look forward to when the 26-mile Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway is completed. But there’s always more to explore with the Jamaica Bay Greenway, parks in every neighborhood, and dedicated bike paths becoming more of a city priority. Stay safe, and enjoy our gorgeous borough!