New York City Cycleboats: Pedal-Powered Tours to the Statue of Liberty

It’s a beautiful day in the New York Harbor and you want exercise, sightseeing and a relaxed time with friends. New York City Cycleboats offers a unique way to combine all three: a pedal-powered boat tour that takes you from Jersey City’s Liberty Harbor Marina across the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty and back.

The vessel is built by Cascade Cycle Boats of Bend, Oregon and features ten cycling stations arranged around a mahogany bar top. Guests can sit, pedal and socialize while their combined effort turns a paddle wheel that moves the boat at speeds up to about five miles per hour. Up to sixteen passengers can board the boat along with a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain and crew, making it a social, active and scenic harbor experience.

Although the Cycleboat is primarily powered by the riders, the boat is equipped with a 50-horsepower outboard motor that can take over if the group needs additional propulsion. According to New York City Cycleboats owner Chris Coscia, pedaling is surprisingly easy and the experience is more about enjoying conversation and views than strenuous exercise.

New York City Cycleboats maintains a BYO food and beverage policy, so guests can bring snacks and drinks to enjoy during the cruise. The boat does not have a fixed restroom, but it does carry a portable toilet for emergencies. The setup is designed for short, social tours rather than long-distance cruising, with an emphasis on comfort, safety and good company.

Coscia first saw a Cascade Cycle Boat in Chicago, tried it and decided to bring the concept to New York Harbor after conversations with the U.S. Coast Guard about operating such a vessel locally. The boat was scheduled to make its debut on May 3. The route from Liberty Harbor Marina on the New Jersey side of the Hudson provides clear views of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island and the iconic Statue of Liberty, offering an approachable way to sightsee while staying active.

What sets this experience apart is its combination of human-powered motion, a social layout and a licensed crew. The arrangement around a bar-style mahogany surface encourages conversation and shared effort, whether participants want to take turns pedaling, relax and enjoy the skyline, or host a small private gathering on the water. With capacity for sixteen guests, it’s well suited to small groups, celebrations and casual get-togethers.

From a practical standpoint, the ride’s modest speed and steady handling make it accessible to a wide range of ages and fitness levels. The presence of a licensed captain and crew ensures navigation and safety meet regulatory standards for passenger vessels operating in New York Harbor. The auxiliary outboard motor provides reassurance that the trip can continue smoothly if additional power becomes necessary.

For visitors and local residents looking for a different kind of Statue of Liberty tour—one that blends sightseeing, light exercise and a convivial atmosphere—New York City Cycleboats presents a memorable alternative to traditional ferry tours. The pedal stations create an interactive element that keeps everyone engaged while the captain handles navigation and safety responsibilities.

To learn more about the company, boat design and scheduling, the original announcement and manufacturer information can be found through the sources that first covered the Cycleboat entry into New York Harbor. New York City Cycleboats aims to offer an easygoing, social way to enjoy the harbor’s landmarks while giving groups the freedom to bring their own food and drinks and set their own pace on the water.

Whether you’re planning a casual outing with friends, a small celebration or a sightseeing trip with a twist, a pedal-powered tour on a Cascade Cycle Boat delivers a distinctive New York Harbor experience—part exercise, part tour, and all about enjoying the city from the water.

You can find additional background and coverage from industry sources and the Cycleboat manufacturer for more technical details and press information.

New York City Cycleboats uses a boat manufactured by Cascade Cycle Boats of Bend, Oregon. Read more coverage on the topic on the trade press that first reported the arrival of pedal-powered tours in New York Harbor.