Cycling to Long Island

[jwrushman]

After living in northern NJ for 45 years, I visited Montauk and eastern Long Island, albeit by car, last November.  Then I got to pondering "Would it have been possible to bicycle there?".   After looking around on the internet, I found a few posts about bicycling to Montauk, mostly from Manhattan or taking the ferry to Long Island.  From northern NJ, it looks like the only realistic way to ride is via the George Washington Bridge and then, somehow, working one's way to Long Island.  I've given up on the idea of bicycling from NJ to Montauk.  Even though it might be possible, I think it would be quite dangerous due to traffic (suicidal?!).  So my question is "Is Suffolk County or New York State doing or planning anything to make Long Island more accessible to bicyclists?"  Canalligator, I think you were looking into this problem years ago.  Did you have any luck?

[canalligators]

I would point you to these resources.

In NYC, see https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/nyc-bike-map-2022.pdf

In Nassau County, you’d need to do some research.  You would probably do best by linking local streets.  You would end up with a complex route, it might be best to design the route using RideWithGPS or some such.  Then let your phone feed you the turn-by-turn directions.

In Suffolk County, NY DOT has designated bicycle routes.  These are on-road but with accommodations for cycling.
https://gisportalny.dot.ny.gov/portalny/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e1f0619b174740fabdcd13667888b1ed
Cycling in Suffolk County, especially the eastern part, can be quite nice.

[canalligators]

But to actually answer your question… I have yet to make that trip.  So I don’t have on-the-ground info for you.

[jwrushman]

Thanks!