Biking Ocean Parkway | The First Designated Bike Lane in the US 1894

Biking through Brooklyn isn’t just a great outdoor pursuit it’s a piece of American history. Did you know the first designated bike lane in the United States was built right here in Brooklyn New York? Ocean Parkway is a 4.8 mile bike lane built in 1894 and is still in use today. It was originally designed to be a direct path from Prospect Park to Coney Island Beach (thus the name Ocean Parkway) but it has since been chopped up to make way for cars and expressways. Starting in Kensington, Caton Ave (Machate Circle at the southwestern corner of Prospect Park is the original start but feels detached now because of the express way) you can bike ride pedestrian free to Brighton Beach Boardwalk in about 30-45mins depending on your experience level. This is a paved road with sections that I’m sure have seen better days. But overall it’s a smooth ride. With trees on either side providing nice shade and a glimpse at Brooklyn’s oldest neighborhoods, this piece of history is worth putting on the do list.

The Spot: Ocean Parkway Bike Path

Location: Starts in Kensington neighborhood (Caton Ave & Ocean Parkway) to Brighton Beach Ave

Hours: All hours