Photo By: Christian Stadler*

There is nothing like seeing a city or town firsthand. Exploring, getting lost, taking in the sights, noises, smells . . . all of it creates ingrained and important memories and associations that typically span a lifetime.

New York City is one of the most iconic destinations in the world. Countless visitors have graced its streets and there are a multitude of unforgettable experiences to be had; looking over the city from the top of the Empire State Building, ascending the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, world-famous museums, a seemingly endless litany of amazing restaurants and shopping spots, and the list goes on and on.

Imagine experiencing Manhattan from the viewpoint of a bike. Not just any bike, but one that is actually involved in a race, dodging pedestrians and vehicles, daring to sail through taxi infested waters. I read a Gawker article titled “A Perilous First-Person Bike Race Through Manhattan,” in which a bicyclist videoed a race through Manhattan, allowing you to see everything from his vantage point. Safety is obviously not a concern for the rider that taped this, making it that much more enjoyable to watch, but winning the race is. It’s a unique and mesmerizing way to see the city and gives a completely different perspective than the one you would probably have from taking a leisurely stroll in which you slowly and calculatedly take the sights in.

Broadway Bombing 2010 from crihs on Vimeo.

We Want to Know:

• What is the best way to see your community and why?
• In what ways do you like to take in and explore new places?

The way in which a community is viewed is influenced heavily by the perspective of the viewer. Sometimes this can lead to a more favorable or less favorable perception of place. We would love to hear your thoughts. Start the discussion below!

*Untitled|Manhattan. Christian and Flora Stadler’s photos can be seen on the blog Eye Heart NYC.