DETAILS

Biking NYC

THE PATHS: The city recently announced that it will add 200 miles of on- street bike paths, lanes and routes over the next three years. In the meantime, bikers have a 420-mile network of car-free bike paths, on-street striped lanes and signed routes that covers all five boroughs. Download the city's free 2006 New York City Bicycling Map at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/bike/cwbm.shtml ; or pick one up at the Department of City Planning bookstore in Lower Manhattan (22 Reade St. at Broadway, 212-720-3667), or at most local bicycle shops.

BIKE RENTALS: In Central Park, rentals are available (for park rides only) through Oct. 31 at the Central Park Boathouse (East 72nd Street and Park Drive North, 212-517-2233, http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/boats.htm ; $9 to $15 per hour, or $45 to $65 for five-plus hours). Other options include the Pedal Pusher Bike Shop (1306 Second Ave. at 69th Street, 212-288-5592) or Toga Bike Shop (110 West End Ave. at 64th Street, 212-799-9625). For a list of shops: http://www.bikenewyork.org/ORG-bike-shops.htm .

TOURS AND CLUBS: Guided bike tours, including rentals, typically cost $40 to $70 and up. Among the options: Central Park Bike Tours, 212-541-8759, http://www.centralparkbiketour.com/ , and Bike the Big Apple, 877-865-0078, http://www.bikethebigapple.com/index.html . Info on clubs and events is available from the New York Bicycling Coalition, 518-436-0889, http://www.nybc.net/ . -- Grace Lichtenstein