Some 32,000 riders line up for the start of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI, the largest noncompetitive bike tour in North America, a 40-mile route that gives an incomparable view of New York City’s neighborhoods. This year’s Bike Expo New York, where participants pick up their packets, takes place on May 4 and 5 at Pier 12 in Brooklyn; the bike tour takes place on Sunday, May 6. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
After six years at Basketball City, Bike Expo New York, the largest bike show on the East Coast, is moving to Pier 12 in Brooklyn New York, on May 4 and 5.
Less than a month before the event, Bike New York announced it had to move the Bike Expo New York due to unexpected maintenance at Pier 36 which prevented the nonprofit from obtaining a permit to hold the event at Basketball City, where the event has taken place for six years.
“It’s no small undertaking to move an event that draws more than 60,000 people from all over the world, especially in this short a timeframe,” said Ken Podziba, President & CEO of Bike New York. “However, we are encouraged by all that Pier 12 has to offer and we will make every effort to ensure that the quality and experience of Bike Expo New York will be what our attendees and exhibitors have come to expect over the past six years.”
The venue is accessible by public transportation, including subway, bus, and ferry; the ferry docks on site. Bike valet and car parking will be available, and there are several Citi Bike docking stations nearby.
The Expo, which is free and open to the public, also serves as the rider packet pick-up location for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI, which takes place on Sunday, May 6; like the Tour, the event benefits Bike New York, New York City’s leading bike education nonprofit.
Among the 100-plus exhibitors are top bike, gear, and apparel brands, tourism companies, bike event organizers, advocacy groups, and many others dedicated to active lifestyles.
In addition to exhibitor booths, Bike Expo New York is packed with programming for casual and serious cyclists alike, including a fashion show, how-to demonstrations, and competitions. The Expo will also feature a beer garden, beer samples from New Belgium Brewing, food trucks, and amazing views of Manhattan, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty.
The TD Five Boro Bike Tour – which caps participation at 32,000 – is the largest noncompetitive bike tour in North America. It is remarkable to consider that the first ride in 1977 had just 250 participants.
The annual event raises money for bike education – 17,000 people a year learn how to ride, the largest free biking education program in the country. Bike New York operates bike education centers, after school programs, summer camps, and last year launched a Women’s Initiative, as well as a membership program. Individual slots are taken, but there is still a way to participate in the 5 Boro Tour, by signing on to one of the many charities, such as Doctors Without Borders, which also use the event for fundraising, purchasing registrations which participants then raise money against.
The ride is designed to be a family friendly tour, not a competition, appealing to cyclists of all abilities and ages – indeed, you see all manners of cycles. A pace car keeps the speed down, and keep it safe, and there are support vehicles to assist.
“Diversity is what makes the ride,” says Sam Polcer, who handles communications for Bike New York.
The 40-mile route embraces all five boroughs – and each shows off its pride and character with street entertainment. There are also well-positioned rest stops along the way which have a festive atmosphere.
About Bike New York Bike New York is 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to transform lives and communities through bicycling. In 2017, they taught bike skills to more than 25,000 kids and adults. Funding for these programs comes from numerous annual events, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI, Bike Expo New York, and regional events. http://www.bike.nyc
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