This is a great way to see the Park, but I beg you all to wear a cycle helmet at all times and to exercise every caution you would on the open road. The Park is frequented by extremely fast cyclists, who sorry to say, do not always obey the traffic signals or even the most basic safety rules. People are killed and injured here every year by speeding cyclists. My 15-year-old daughter was hit from behind by a speeding cyclist and sent flying over the handlebars last summer in the Park, despite the fact that she was cycling in the designated bike lane, in a perfectly safe and orderly manner. The cyclist who knocked her off was admittedly concussed, but he started telling the attending police and paramedics that she had been the one who caused the collision, because she had ‘come out of nowhere!’ Luckily, other cyclists who had witnessed the incident stopped and gave their version of events, so we heard no more, but it was a very unpleasant experience and the speeding cyclist had to be taken to hospital. Also, if you are a pedestrian using a crossing in Central Park, be aware that cyclists seldom heed the crossing signals – quite often they are simply going too fast to stop. Use your ears and eyes to cross safely. Part of the problem is that not for nothing was Manhattan named the island of hills by American Indians. There are quite a few hilly parts in the Park and bikes can reach a fair old speed when going downhill. Please don’t be put off – this a fabulous cycle ride – but don’t assume that you are ‘safer’ in the Park and relax your guard!

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