TV Producer Daisaku Kawase’s Five Boro Bike Tour Participation Report!
Falling in Love with New York Vol.4
Cycling Life in NY: Beginner’s Guide – Biking in Central Park

I headed to New York with my Brompton in tow.
However, I had some trepidation about cycling in NY.

After all, New York is a pioneering city in cycling, known for its messenger culture. Unlike Japan, cycling on the road is strictly enforced. Additionally, bikes follow the opposite rule of riding on the left side. I had ridden a road bike in Hawaii before, but this is New York, the greatest city in the world. It would be strange not to feel a bit nervous.

This time, accompanying me to New York are Karen-chan, the runner and cyclist Karen Maruyama, and a friend who was a renowned cyclist during his university days. Originally, Osamu Suzuki was supposed to be part of this group as well, but for some reason, he headed to Ishigaki Island instead. The details of that story are in the previous issue.

Of course, none of the members, including myself, had ever cycled through New York before. It was quite unsettling.

So, we decided to hire a guide for this trip.

Alberto, a New Yorker who travels the world with his bicycle, was our guide. He is a hardcore cyclist, competing in races on his MTB. We arranged to meet near a bike rental shop close to Central Park. Although I was initially worried about communication, he spoke clear English and seemed like a good person, which put me at ease.
Each of us rented a hybrid bike and headed towards Central Park.

Central Park has been the setting for countless movies, from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Kramer vs. Kramer” to “Home Alone 2” and “Sex and the City.” It stretches 4 kilometers north to south and 0.8 kilometers east to west. A loop around the park’s roads is about 10 kilometers, with some ups and downs, making it a worthwhile ride. It’s a gathering place not just for runners but also for people who want to cycle.

Despite being a park, the roads are wide and one-way, with traffic lights. It’s quite easy to ride. People traveling by horse-drawn carriages, walking, and, of course, cycling all seem to be enjoying themselves.

Once my body warmed up, I decided to try riding seriously. I shifted down a gear before the uphill section and started pedaling hard while standing. As I was climbing, Alberto came up alongside me. As expected from someone who participates in races, he looked at ease. We exchanged glances and chatted for a while as we rode side by side.

“Do you do hill climbs in Japan?”
“I usually ride my road bike in the mountains.”
“That sounds great. I’d love to ride in Japan someday.”

Even though we had just met, I felt like we had become friends. As fellow cyclists, there’s a certain connection that goes beyond words.

In the vast Central Park, there are many sights to see. One of them is “Strawberry Fields,” named after the famous Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever.” It’s located directly across from the Dakota House, where John Lennon lived and was tragically shot. A circular mosaic with the word “Imagine” marks the spot. When we visited, street musicians were singing “Imagine,” and people gathered to join in a chorus.

After circling around Central Park, I told Albert that I wanted something cold to drink. He said, “Let’s head outside the park and I’ll take you to a recommended café.”

So, off we went into the streets of New York City. It was like a driving lesson on the road. Cyclists are treated just like cars, so it’s normal to ride in the lanes. You might even get warned if you ride on the sidewalk. They drive on the right side, opposite of Japan. If you try to go the wrong way, you’ll hear a chorus of car horns. America gives off a strong vibe of personal responsibility, especially when it comes to safety. Once you get the rules down, it’s easy to ride since pedestrians and vehicles are completely separate. Just be cautious about your speed; not going at a reasonable speed can be dangerous. Of course, wearing a helmet is a must.

Alberto took me to “Ralph’s Cafe,” run by the apparel brand Ralph Lauren. It’s quite popular, and all the seats, including the terrace, were full. We ended up having standing coffee outside the shop. The iced café latte was perfectly refreshing.

After taking a break, we returned to Central Park and headed back to the climax of our cycling trip: Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. This is one of the most beautiful spots in Central Park, always bustling with people. The terrace’s ceiling is adorned with beautiful decorations, creating a solemn atmosphere.

There were scattered street performers, including jugglers, violinists, and even someone who wrote improvised poetry on the spot, all of whom were quite popular.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vicinity of Central Park for a generous three hours. After returning the rented bike, I bid farewell to Alberto. I have a feeling we’ll bump into each other again somewhere in the world. When that happens, I want to ride together.

Since Chelsea, where my hotel is located, is a bit of a distance away, everyone else took a taxi while I headed there alone.

Riding alone through Manhattan.
Will I get into an accident? Will I unknowingly break any rules and inconvenience others? These worries nagged at me again.
But in the end, I wasn’t just another person on the road. There were plenty of local cyclists around, and I rode following their lead. I started feeling like a true New Yorker, and before I knew it, my anxiety disappeared.

In conclusion, Manhattan is a cyclist’s paradise. The reason is clear: it’s an excellent means of transportation. Unlike the subway or buses, you can go directly to your destination without getting stuck in traffic like taxis do.
Above all, the local cyclists all look cool.

The first day of our NYC cycling adventure passed like that.

Tomorrow, we’re finally heading out into the city on our own. From Chelsea through SoHo, visiting places like the 9/11 Memorial Museum and galleries. We’ll challenge ourselves with city rides using Citi Bike, found all over New York.

To be continued in the next installment.

Text & Photo＿Daisaku Kawase

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Profile

Daisaku Kawase
He is a Free Producer, the Representative of Days Co., Ltd, Global Ride Communication Director.
Born in Aichi Prefecture. With 16 years of road cycling experience, he loves scenic rides. He squeezes in rides between work and travels all over Japan with his bike. His beloved bike is a Trek. After working as a producer on programs like “Ariyoshi no Okane Hakken Totsugeki! Kaneo-kun,” “Oyasumi Japan Nemuiine,” and “Asaichi” at NHK, he became independent in 2022. In addition to producing programs, he also handles project production for government and corporate clients.