the beef

Just received my acceptance letter to Columbia University, on the Upper West Side. I'm really excited, and planning on biking a lot in college. So how do i not get mugged, jacked, or murdered in NYC? Where should i go to build an omgsweet ficksy? Please direct your advice to a suburban kid with no street smarts.

queerpunk

Don't walk around like a clueless person flaunting things of value. Don't act like everybody is out to get you. Don't leave your bike locked up within a few blocks of Union Square. Lock up both wheels. Visit Continuum, Bike Works, Manhattan Velo, NYC Velo, City Bikes on w. 38th (or 39th? I always forget). And affinity and trackstar and habitat. Work on your bike at the Times Up free mechanic workshops. Join Transportation Alternatives. Unlearn what you think you know about bad neighborhoods, and about good neighborhoods. Ride your bike everywhere. Come out to Kissena Velodrome.

queerpunk

Oh, and, congrats.

bicycle

i might be ending up in nyc also—this is helpful thx

mihlbach

Congrats.

I lived on 119th and Amsterdam between 2000-2004 when I was a grad student at CU. Great neighborhood...felt safe the whole time I was there. I moved there from rural southern Illinois..a fairly severe change. You'll adjust quickly, I did.
It took me about 4 months to get totally fed up with buses and subways, so I basically biked everywhere that was beyond walking distance. Biking in NYC is fun and intense, but it does get tedious. If you yearn for the open road, fortunately, you are not very far down from the George Washington Bridge and the road cycling bliss that can be found on the other side. Check out River Road, and if you are into distance, go up to Bear Mountain. I still head up there serveral times a year, although from my present location (Long Island) its nearly a 200 mile RT. Your looking at closer to 110-125 RT to Bear Mountain and back.

beeftech

The peeps at NYC Velo, Continuum, and Affinity, are all great, my favorite shops. Affinity will also let you use their bike stand and some tools if you need to.

The later two have their own house brand frames.
NYC Velo is my favorite place to go for clothing, gear, other ****.

Check out King Kog and TrackStar too, they carry cool ****.

City bikes is pretty rad too, I'm just rarely in that area when I need/want stuff.
Gotham Bikes is nice as well, got some lube from them once.
Most bike shops in Manhattan are very helpful and friendly though.

Take time to learn how the streets work. I suggest getting a map.

Have fun, ride safe.

MuddyPaws

hopstop.com when you want to know which train to get wherever...

rduenas

Welcome.

You'll get your street smarts quickly.

I came accross this a few days ago. Some good stuff in here: https://ask.metafilter.com/34864/How-...ke-survive-NYC

I'm saying there no better way to make friends with a shop than to have them build your bike. Though you might end up paying a little more for components as that's how LBS's go.

Saintly Loser

Don't worry too much about mugging, jacking, murder, etc. New York isn't what it used to be (although what with the economy going into the toilet, who knows what's coming our way). Some years back freshman orientation at Columbia used to include a warning never to set foot in Morningside Park. That warning, while once justified, isn't necessary any more. Columbia is now right smack in the middle of a fairly affluent and nice part of the city. You'll be fine. Just use your head.

That said, bike theft is a major problem here in the city. Good locks and a cheap bike are the way to go.

mihlbach

Women now jog in there at night.

coppertop4646

My brother goes there, pretty sick spot for a college

Crast

You'll be fine. Everything people said was spot on; generally most of the city is safe and you will likely not have to worry about muggings/robberies. Being sensible like not carrying too much cash on you is always smart anyway. Your bike on the other hand, leave it for five minutes inadequately locked in some areas and you can expect it to be gone or at least parts taken. If you are allowed to get your bike up to your dorm/apartment and can fit it, do so. When you're locking your bike up, make sure you have a solid lock and can lock both wheels and take any other doodads with you.

Riding in the city streets is scary (at least to me) and the few times I've ridden there it was just to get to someone's place and back; but if you're willing to take a metro north train or ride a bit out of the city, within a small distance you can find country roads and pretty views to do training rides. There's also central park, but it can get crowded at times. You're 20 miles from the Nyack ride also if you want to join that hammerfest.

xdrmusclex

dont go to Bicycle habitat, I stopped in there the other day to raise my seat, they wouldnt let me use an allen wrench, actually, they wanted to charge me! ("make an appointment")

the beef

Thanks for the advice, particularly on safety - I feel a little more reassured.

Question about bike theft, though. Would it be idiocy to build up a bike with even semi-nice parts - say, a set of Deep Vs and a Zen Messenger crankset - and use it to commute now and then? I mean, I see some pretty nice NY bikes up on Velospace and wonder how they can last on the open streets. Is it a rule that your bike look must look like crocodile shiat or get nicked?

brandonspeck

I'd start by building something simple. The Zen Messenger is just a KHS stamped crankset; probably a bit too steep for a fixed commuter. Get something like a Sugino RD for like $100, then if you feel like you want to, you can just buy the messenger crankset for around $60. I got mine in silver/black chainring, less flashy.

Deep-V's are okay, I'd just avoid anything in flashy colors. Again, you can get a nice buildup, but as long as the colors aren't seen from space, and you've obviously locked it up well you should be good. Stickers are also great to throw over a frame to make it look a little more identifiable and less flashy.

ZiP0082

do try to avoid leaving your bike locked on the street overnight, no matter what the neighborhood is (upper west side vs. wherever). stuff does have a tendency to walk away. but congrats on the acceptance to columbia.

queerpunk

No, that wouldn't be idiotic.You'll be fine. Lock smart and don't fret.

queerpunk

Tips to locking your bike in NYC:
1. If you can lock both wheels and the frame, do it (this is why having a QR front is helpful!).
2. Avoid locking up all day every day in the same place.
3. Avoid locking up overnight.
4. Avoid Union Square and everywhere around it.
5. Never ever ever lock up to scaffolding.
6. Lock up near other bikes. Chances are, they'll be easier to steal than your bike.
7. If possible, lock up near eyes on the street - a doorman, a big cafe window - but don't think that other people will stop a bike thief.
8. Get a good lock. Like a big fat Krypto U-lock.
9. Get renter's insurance.
10. Don't leave your bike unlocked.
11. Don't worry your pretty little head off.

axcxnj

^what they all said, and dont get hit by any taxi's

ZiP0082

true.

queerpunk

Cab drivers may drive aggressively, like *******s, but are actually some of the best drivers on the streets. It just doesn't feel like that.

It's car service drivers you have to be careful about. and Access-a-ride vans. And everyday dip****s. And pedestrians, and other people on bikes, and pretty much everybody else in the city.

Oh, and don't ride like a jerk.

alpacalypse

12. Ride a replaceable, cheap, tough, ugly bike.

jdms mvp

negative. there are plenty in the city who rides nice bikes.

bartonfink

12. Ride a replaceable, cheap, tough, ugly bike.


I'll split the difference here, and say that you can ride anything you like in the city - as long as you carry it back into your apartment. You should only lock cheap, tough, ugly bikes outdoors.

And don't call us foooooooools. You never know which one of us is carrying a shank.

Scotland Yard

Hm question of curosity.. Why is union square so big on bike theft? and does the same apply to other busy public areas in Manhattan, other bike theft hotspots