In 2014, Bike New York initiated efforts to ensure that the TD Five Boro Bike Tour reached meaningful sustainability goals. As a result of these efforts, and with the help of many partners, we became the first large-scale event in New York to be awarded Silver-level certification by The Council for Responsible Sport, a nonprofit that recognizes sporting events that promote and demonstrate environmentally and socially responsible measures to reduce the environmental impact within the event’s hosting community. This year, we’re going for Gold-level certification, and you can help! Here are just a few of the things we’re doing to help reduce waste and make sure the environmental impact of the Tour is smaller than ever.

 

Many riders are already planning to help reduce the carbon footprint of the Tour by making sustainable transportation choices on Tour day. According to our registration survey, this is how riders plan to travel to the Tour:

 

• 32.59% carpooling
• 32.32% by mass transit
• 27.8% by bike
• 07.3% driving solo

 

We’re once again working with partners including GrowNYC, NYC Compost Project, and NYC Water to help reduce the amount of waste produced at the Tour. In 2015, we recycled 68% of Tour waste, composted 13%, and we donated 29,640 pounds of food to help feed 1.4 million New Yorkers through City Harvest. This year, we hope to waste even less by reducing, recycling, and reusing even more.

 

 

The little things can really add up, so we’re going the extra mile to make sure they don’t. By using NYC tap water, we’ll save 33,322 disposable plastic water bottles. We’ll be recycling 32,000 bibs at the Post Tour Ferry Line up, and upcycling certain damaged bike parts, like chains through Resource Revival, and bike tubes through Green Guru Gear.

 

Our Tour program is printed on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, and many of the bands performing along the route are amplified with electricity generated by wind-power, thanks to our title sponsor, TD Bank. Terracycle will be collecting foil-lined food wrappers (at rest areas along the Tour route as well as at Bike Expo New York) to upcycle into new products like bags and backpacks.

 

We’re also ramping up our sustainability efforts at Bike Expo New York. GrowNYC‘s Green Team will be on site managing standard recycling operations, and we’ll be composting food waste at the Expo, too, thanks to Vokashi. GrowNYC is bringing their textile recycling program to the Expo, so be sure to bring unwanted sneakers and athletic gear to recycle. Our Beer Garden will feature four amazing New York State breweries and serve their local brew in recyclable cups.

 

These are just a few of the things we’re doing to help reduce waste and make sure the environmental impact of the Tour is smaller than ever. You can help us reach our sustainability goals by making smart travel choices and by putting trash in its proper place!