Central Park Bike Rental near Columbus Circle New York

Columbus Circle and the 59th Street entrance

Columbus Circle marks the south-west corner of Central Park, where Broadway, Eighth Avenue and Central Park South meet. At its centre a granite column from 1892 carries a statue of the navigator the circle is named after, and the circle is the official point from which distances to and from New York City are measured. The park's Merchants' Gate entrance opens opposite, beside a monument with a gilded figure crowning its tall pylon.

The rental shop is two blocks away, so after a quick fitting you roll straight into the park. Columbus Circle is easy to reach: the 59th Street–Columbus Circle subway station is served by several lines, and many Midtown hotels are a short walk away. Arrive at your booked time with a passport or ID, and ask for a helmet if you want one.

The Carousel and Sheep Meadow

A few minutes into the ride you reach the Carousel, a 1908 merry-go-round with hand-carved horses that was moved here in 1951; its organ music drifts across this corner of the park on most days. Lock up nearby for a ride or a photo, especially if you are travelling with children.

Just north lies Sheep Meadow, a 15-acre lawn where a flock of sheep actually grazed until 1934. Today it is the park's favourite spot for picnics and sunbathing, with the skyline of Central Park South rising behind the trees. In warm weather this is a lovely place to stop with the snacks in your basket; the lawn is closed in winter and after heavy rain to protect the grass.

The Mall, Literary Walk and Bethesda Fountain

The Mall is the park's only formal straight promenade, a broad walk under a cathedral-like canopy of American elms, one of the largest remaining stands of these trees in North America. Its southern end, the Literary Walk, is lined with bronze statues of writers and poets. Cycling is not allowed on the Mall itself, so lock your bike at the end and walk its length in about ten minutes.

The promenade leads to Bethesda Terrace, a two-level stone terrace from the 1860s, and down to Bethesda Fountain with its Angel of the Waters statue of 1873. Below lies the Lake, crossed by the cast-iron Bow Bridge, where rowboats glide in summer. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for this stretch; it is the most photographed part of a Central Park by bike outing.

Strawberry Fields and the Lake's west shore

Back on the West Drive, near the West 72nd Street entrance, you reach Strawberry Fields, a calm landscaped memorial garden opened in 1985. A round black-and-white mosaic sits at its heart, often decorated with flowers left by visitors. Lock the bike, walk in quietly and enjoy a few minutes of shade among the trees.

From here paths lead down to the west shore of the Lake, with views back toward Bow Bridge and the tall towers of Central Park South reflected in the water. The loop from Columbus Circle to Bethesda, Strawberry Fields and back is about 3 km of easy, mostly flat riding, which is why two hours is enough for the lower park.

The Dairy and the Chess and Checkers House

On the east side of the lower park, the Dairy is a small Victorian Gothic building from 1870 that once served fresh milk to city children and now works as a visitor centre with maps and park information. Nearby, the Chess and Checkers House sits on a rocky outcrop with stone tables where locals play outdoors on fine days.

A little further along the East Drive near 67th Street stands a much-loved bronze statue of a sled dog, unveiled in 1925, which children climb on. These quieter corners are a good finish to a two-hour ride before you head back west along the 65th Street side of the park to the shop near Columbus Circle.

The full loop up to 110th Street

With three, four or up to ten hours you can ride the complete Central Park loop of about 6.1 miles (9.7 km) to the northern edge at 110th Street. Beyond 72nd Street the park passes the Reservoir with its skyline views, the formal Conservatory Garden on the Fifth Avenue side and the Harlem Meer, a lake with a small boathouse and fishing spots.

The northern section has the loop's real climbs, especially Harlem Hill on the west side, but they are short and you can always walk the bike up. Since the drives became car-free in 2018, cycling in Central Park is relaxed for all levels; ride counter-clockwise in the bike lane and stop at red lights at crossings.