Between the subway, buses, taxis, ferries, and ride sharing apps, there are numerous ways of navigating New York City. In its latest exhibit, The Museum of the City of New York is honoring one of the city’s most popular and oldest modes of transportation, the bicycle. Cycling in the City: A 200-Year History, “reveals the complex, creative, and often contentious relationship between New York and the bicycle” and examines the important role of cycling as the city faces challenges due to climate change, energy scarcity, and population growth. This new exhibit marks the 200th anniversary of the introduction of the bicycle to New York City in 1819.
Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York; Photograph by Rob Stephenson
Through the display of 150 objects, including fourteen bikes, the exhibition traces the physical evolution of the bicycle and the on-going social debates that have surrounded it. Photographs, prints, cycling apparel, posters, magazines, brochures, badges and more show how the bicycle transformed from a leisure item of the upper class to an essential and mainstream form of transportation. Statistics from New York City’s Department of Transportation show that more than 800,000 New Yorkers ride a bike regularly and 460,000 cycling trips are taken every day.
Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York; Photograph by Rob Stephenson
In addition to the physical objects on display, the exhibit will also feature vintage and contemporary films, including a newly commissioned film of interviews with cycling advocates. There is also an interactive section of the exhibit where visitors can hop on a bike and experience a virtual ride through Central Park with the help of Zwift, an online‐based cycling video game, and three indoor stationary Citibikes. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of events for educators and the public such as a curator led walkthrough with Donald Albrecht, the museum’s Curator of Architecture and Design.
Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York; Photograph by Rob Stephenson
Cycling in the City is on view now through October 6th. If you ride your bike to the museum, you can get 50% off admission and 10% off in the shop! Just show your bike helmet to redeem the offer.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York; Photograph by Rob Stephenson