ccnyc: yes, I lived in Manhattan from '86 (I think) to '94. I ran with FrontRunners and am a long distance member if their "off-shoot" cycling club, Fast & Fabulous. I competed for Team NY in track & field at both the '90 and '94 Gay Games. And I can't tell you how many times I circled Central Park.

As to the streets... I liked riding them. Just gotta be alert. And they let the bikes on after 7:00PM if I remember correctly. Ride to the park (practicing those ever important handling skills) then a couple laps then poof! Onto the subway with you.

There's a few NYC'ers on this board... maybe they'll come out to play.