FAQ
When is the next TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
The 43rd Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2020.
How do I register for the Tour?
Registration for the 2020 TD Five Boro Bike Tour will be opening at 12:00 PM EST on January 8th, 2020
Who can participate in the Tour?
Any registered individual. All interested and willing parties are invited to participate. We intend to create an event that adheres to principles of social equity and inclusion and is open, welcoming, safe, and accessible for all who have an interest in participating provided that they have obtained a valid pass of entry to the event.
Are there age restrictions for riding in the Tour?
- Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on the Tour.
- Youths ages 3 to 9 must ride with an adult on a tandem bike, in a child’s seat, on a tag-along bike, or in a bike trailer.
- Youths ages 10 to 17 may ride their own bikes, but must remain in close proximity to the adult with whom they were registered.
Can international riders participate in the Tour?
Yes! Every year, we welcome cyclists from dozens of countries around the world.
How much does it cost to ride in the Tour?
The price for standard registration is $112 (plus processing fees), $22 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation. VIP registration is $352 (plus processing fees), $73.50 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation. All Tour fees are non-refundable, and non-deferrable. Tour fees are subject to change from year to year.
Where does the money go?
Proceeds from the Tour fund our free bicycle education programs, including bike skills classes for children and adults, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and our work to build a bike-friendly city!
I plan on riding a tandem with my spouse/friend/child. Do we both need to register?
Yes. All participants must register. Youths must be registered by a parent or guardian, and must be on the same team as their registered parent or guardian. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on the Tour.
Can I register someone else?
You are allowed to register others, but we recommend registering individually. If you choose to register others, you must collect all of their personal information before you do so, including date of birth, emergency contact name/phone, mobile number, email address, mobile provider, etc. Please note that registration will only become valid after the participant you register has personally signed the Event Waiver. The Event Waiver will be emailed to the email address provided for that participant.
How do I verify that I am registered for the Tour?
If you received a confirmation email, you are registered. If you don’t receive an email within one day of completing registration, go here to confirm your registration. If you don’t find your name, you are not registered.
Are there refunds on any registration purchases? Can I sell or give away my entry?
No. Registration is non-refundable, non-deferrable, and non-transferable. If you decide not to ride, we can convert your full registration fee into a tax-deductible charitable contribution. Please contact Bike New York as soon as possible if you want to explore this option.
When can I order the Tour registration jersey?
The Tour registration jersey is available during the online registration process and for a limited time to registered riders, who will receive a link to this exclusive offer in their email.
Where can I find sizing information for the Tour registration jersey?
Sizing information for the Tour registration jersey can be found here.
Can I return/exchange my Tour registration jersey?
No. All jersey sales are nonrefundable and nontransferable, so be sure to consult the fit guide before ordering a jersey.
When will my Tour registration jersey arrive?
Standard participants who purchase a jersey within registration will have it shipped to their registered shipping address by late April. VIP and Standard participants who have an international shipping address will pick up their jersey at Bike Expo New York with their rider packet.
What are staggered Start waves?
To alleviate congestion throughout the Tour, riders are assigned to a Start wave. Participants who link together as a team will be assigned to the same Start wave.
How can I guarantee that I'll be assigned to the first Start wave?
If you’d like to ensure a spot in the first Start wave, you should plan to register as a VIP or Charity Rider.
How can I ensure that I am assigned to the same Start wave as my friends and family?
The only way a Standard Rider can guarantee a mutual start wave assignment with another Standard Rider is to be on a team together. If you were unable to create or join a team with your group during registration, you may adjust, create, or join a team at any time by visiting your participant page. VIP and Charity Riders have preferred start at the top of the Tour and are able to start in any of the start waves.
What is a team?
A team is a collection of standard riders who wish to be placed in the same Start wave. You can join the team created by your friends and family or create a team for your friends and family to join either at registration or afterward on your participant page.
What’s the best way to organize a team?
Select a team captain first. This person will be in charge of creating the team and sharing the team name with everyone else. Once this person has registered, everyone else can join that team either within registration or on their participant page.
Can VIP and charity riders join a team?
No, but remember: VIP and Charity Riders can ride in any wave and therefore can ride with whichever team they choose.
How can I edit my team and registration details?
Want to add people to a team after you’ve already registered? Go to your participant page and enter your confirmation code to edit these and other details.
What if I am late to my designated staggered Start time?
Simply depart with the following Start wave. Please note the last wave departs at 9:20 AM. All riders must cross the Start line by 9:50 AM.
Can I start at an earlier Start time?
No. Riders are only permitted to fall back into a later start time.
Can I start farther along the Tour route and avoid the Start Line?
No. Riders must depart from the designated Start Area during their assigned Start wave.
What sort of accommodation options does Bike New York offer to riders who are traveling from out of town?
Bike New York has partnered with onPeak to provide you with hotel options for your trip to New York. Through this partnership, Bike New York and onPeak are able to offer discounted nightly rates at hotels throughout the city—and the best part about it is that a portion of the proceeds from rooms booked through OnPeak help fund our free bike education programs. Check out OnPeak’s housing options here!
What if I can't bring my bike/don’t own a bike?
We’re partnering with Unlimited Biking to arrange for bike rental pick-up right at the start of the ride and drop-off at the Staten Island ferry (St. George ferry terminal) before you get on the boat back to Manhattan.
How will I receive my rider packet and rider identification kit?
All participants must pick up their packet and rider identification kit (helmet cover, bib, and bike plate) at Bike Expo New York.
The 2020 TD Five Boro Bike Tour barcode will be also be emailed to all registered participants the Thursday before the Bike Expo New York. The barcode is used to expedite packet pickup and will also be sent via text to participants who opt into that option within registration.
Where is Bike Expo New York/Packet Pick-up?
Bike Expo New York will be held from May 1–2, 2020, at Basketball City in Lower Manhattan. Learn more here.
Can you mail me my rider packet and rider identification kit?
Stay tuned for updates in 2020.
What if I can't attend the Expo to pickup my rider packet?
Can I pick up someone else’s rider packet for them?
My child is riding with me in the Tour, but cannot attend the Expo. Can I pick up their packet?
What forms of identification do I need to pick up my packet?
Residents of the United States and Puerto Rico must show state or federal government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, DMV photo ID, or passport. Non-US residents, including Canadian residents, are required to show a valid passport. Participants should also bring their barcode with them to expedite the packet pickup process.
When will I receive my barcode?
Your barcode will be emailed to you a few days before the Tour. If you do not see the barcode email in your inbox you can retrieve your barcode from the public participant page by searching your name and copying/pasting your unique barcode URL into a new browser tab or window. Your barcode will be posted on the public participant page in April.
What is the route for the Tour?
Do I need a helmet for the ride?
Yes. Helmets are required to participate in all Bike New York rides. For the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, you must also display all three components of the rider identification kit (helmet cover, bib, and bike plate) for the duration of the ride.
Can I wear headphones/earbuds while I ride?
No. You may not wear earbuds or any other form of headphones. According to NYC law you may wear one earbud, but keeping your ears clear is a much safer choice. Rather than bring your own playlist, we recommend that you enjoy the live music you’ll encounter all along the route.
What kind of bike is allowed on the Tour?
Any human-powered bicycle (recumbent, unicycle, tandem, tricycle, etc.) is permitted, as well any pedal-assist bicycle, defined in the Rules of the City of New York, Chapter 4, Title 34 as: a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower) whereby such electric motor engages only when the operator is pedaling and the rate of speed of the bicycle is less than 20 miles per hour, and disengages or ceases to function when (i) the Section 4-01 4 operator applies the brakes, (ii) the operator stops pedaling, or (iii) the bicycle achieves a speed of twenty miles per hour. Absolutely no electric assisted bike outside of this definition will be allowed on the Tour.
What should I bring on the ride?
While the Tour provides snacks and water at the Rest Areas, don’t forget to bring two bottles of water, some snacks, sunscreen, and a spare tube in case you get a flat. You will want to pump your tires full of air the day before. Don’t forget a fully-charged cell phone (and portable charger if you have one), camera, and cash for food and merchandise at the Finish Festival. Check the forecast before you set out to ensure that you’ll be dressed appropriately for the weather.
Can I bring a bag on the Tour?
Yes. However, the following are prohibited:
- Bags with shoulder straps (including backpacks, hydration packs, drawstring bags, and messenger bags)
- Panniers or bags that hang on the side of your bike
- Any bag over 420 cubic inches (6.9 liters)
If you suspect that one or more of the above criteria applies to your bag, do not bring that bag. If you do, you run the risk of having your bag (and any personal belongings in it) confiscated. Bike New York is not responsible for confiscated property. Confiscated property will not be returned under any circumstances. Here’s some more info.
Can I check a bag?
No, we do not provide bag check services or facilities on the Tour.
What if the weather looks bad?
This is a rain-or-shine event. Check the weather and dress appropriately.
Is there a recommended app for tracking my ride during the Tour?
Strava! Visit the TD Five Boro Bike Tour route on Strava to get a detailed, turn-by-turn map of the event. You can even download the route to your Garmin or smartphone. And if you’re looking for training partners or some company on the ride, check out the Bike New York club on Strava. Don’t forget to upload your Tour after you complete your ride!
What should I know about the Finish Festival?
The Finish Festival takes place at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, where riders can celebrate their Tour with bike demos, giveaways, music and entertainment, food concessions, product samples, stretching, massage, a photo booth, and official merchandise for sale. Don’t forget to bring cash to purchase lunch!
Is lunch provided for riders at the Finish Festival?
Lunch is provided for VIP and Charity Riders. Standard riders may purchase food from a variety of vendors at the Finish Festival. Please note that food vendors are cash-only.
All Rest Areas along the route will provide complimentary snacks and refreshments.
Can my friends or family meet me at the Finish Festival?
No. For security reasons, the Fort does not permit visitors during the event, and only registered riders are allowed at the Finish Festival.
How do I get back to Manhattan at the end of the Tour?
After leaving the Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, you can proceed to St. George’s terminal (about a 4-mile ride) to take a free ferry back to Battery Park in Manhattan.
What happens if I start the ride, but cannot finish it?
If you need to leave the Tour for any reason, we recommend doing so at the following locations. If you leave the Tour, you will be riding with motorized traffic and will have to watch for cars and road hazards.
- Mile 14: York Ave. and 63rd St. (Manhattan). This is your last chance to exit the Tour in Manhattan. If you don’t want to continue, travel straight on 63rd St. after the Tour exits the FDR Drive. Do not take the left-hand turn onto the ramp of the Queensboro (59th St.) Bridge.
- Mile 27: Brooklyn Bridge. Before the Tour enters the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), you can leave the Tour at Old Fulton St. and Cadman Plaza West and take the Brooklyn Bridge bike path into downtown Manhattan. Marshals on the Brooklyn side will direct you. (This exit point is recommended for those traveling with children.)
- Subway: The Tour passes near many subway stations. Bikes are allowed on the subway, but some unstaffed subway stations have turnstiles that do not accommodate bikes. Marshals and Information Tents at Rest Areas can provide more details on which stations to use. Visit www.mta.info for up-to-date info.
Note: if you are unable to finish the Tour, you may also take a SAG vehicle to the Finish Festival.
What is a SAG vehicle?
SAG stands for Support And Gear. They are stationed at each Rest Area and will trail the back of the pack. If you are running out of steam or fall too far behind, SAG will transport you and your bike to the Finish Festival.
Is bike repair offered along the Tour route?
Yes. Each Rest Area will have a free bicycle mechanic station for minor repairs. Rider assist marshals should be able to offer some assistance for minor repairs while on the route. Please note that on-site mechanics will not be able to provide support for more extensive repairs, and service from a bike shop may be required.
We strongly recommend that you bring an extra bike tube, and check your bike before the Tour. Here’s some info to help with that.
Will there be refreshments along the Tour route?
Yes! Each Rest Area will have all sorts of nutritious snacks and goodies to keep you going until the end. For those with dietary restrictions, we suggest that you bring your own snacks to ensure you’ll have the right ingredients to get you to the Finish.
How can I find out where Rest Areas, Water Stations, and bike repair hubs are located along the Tour route?
Click here for the route map to see locations of Rest Areas. Each Rest Area and water station will have water, bike repair, and toilets. The route is subject to change.
Are there designated areas for lactation along the route?
Each of our medical tents at our four Rest Areas and at our Gowanus Water Stop can be fully enclosed and used as a lactation space.
What if I lose something while riding?
We ask all riders who find lost possessions on the route to hand them in to a staff member and let him/her know where the item was found. If you lost something, ask a representative at the information tent at the Finish Festival if it has been turned in. You can also email Bike New York with a description of the item and a note about where you think you lost it. If your item is turned in, we will contact you. The TD Five Boro Bike Tour and Bike New York are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
What if I lose track of my friends/family during the Tour?
Make a plan in advance with your friends/family in case you get split up. Rest Areas are a good place to meet up with friends.
There is a “Reunion” area at the Finish Festival, which is a good place for you to rendezvous after your ride.
Do not stop in the following locations: Central Park, on any of the bridges, or on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). Out of courtesy for other riders, do not stop in the middle of the roadway; always pull over to the right side of the road if you need to stop for any reason. There will also be an information center at the Finish Festival where riders can rendezvous.
Can I bring a pet on my bike?
No. Kindly leave furry and feathered friends at home for the Tour.
How can I lessen my environmental impact and help make the Tour more sustainable?
Bike New York encourages participants to bike or use mass transit to get to the Tour Start Line and home from the Finish Festival. Along the route, we encourage everyone to use our Zero Waste stations and do their part to properly sort trash. Check out our sustainability page for more info.