Sponsors

Events > TD Five Boro Bike Tour

AUGUST 22, 2021

Bike New York and its city government partners are thrilled to announce that the TD Five Boro Bike Tour will once again welcome bike lovers from across New York and around the country on its new date of Sunday, August 22, 2021.

Standard (Adult & Youth)

Standard registration for adults and youths costs $112, $23 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York to fund our free bike education programs. Standard registration includes:

Rider Identification Kit (bib & bike plate) – this is your key to enter and participate in the Tour
Snacks and entertainment at four rest areas along the route
Fully supported route with four additional water stops
Access to free bike repair along the route provided by Trek
Access to SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles
Entry to the Finish Festival on Staten Island
Digital finisher certificate
Free photos provided by Amazon

VIP (Adult & Youth)

VIP registration for adults and youths costs $350, $76.50 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York to fund our free bike education programs. VIP registration includes:

All standard registration perks
Guaranteed placement in the first start wave
Limited-edition TD Five Boro Bike Tour jersey designed by Bike New York and Primal Wear
Custom, limited-edition Tour-branded Manhattan Portage bag
Breakfast and entertainment at the Start
Timed climb over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
Access to exclusive VIP lounge and gourmet lunch at the Finish Festival

Standard Plus Membership (Adult & Youth)

Standard Plus Membership registration for adults and youths costs $152, $23 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York to fund our free bike education programs. Standard Plus Membership registration includes:

All standard registration perks
Guaranteed placement in the first or second start wave
Bike New York Membership benefits, including a welcome kit, discounts on merchandise and our Regional Rides, and so much more!

Charity

The cost of charity registration depends on your selected charity. Charity registration includes:

All standard registration perks
Guaranteed placement in the first start wave
Breakfast at the Start
Lunch at the Finish Festival
The satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped further the cause of Bike New York and your chosen charity
Whatever other perks offered by your selected charity

For more information, see our Charity Partners.

WHEN YOU RENT A BIKE WITH UNLIMITED BIKING, THE OFFICIAL RENTAL PARTNER OF BIKE NEW YORK, PROCEEDS HELP FUND OUR BIKE EDUCATION PROGRAM!

RENT HERE

Lodging

We’re pleased to offer courtesy room blocks with special discounted rates at select hotels. Room availability is limited and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis; we will be adding hotels to this list as we finalize details:

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 7/20/21.

Hilton Garden Inn, Tribeca | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 7/31/21.

Holiday Inn Express, Wall Street | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 7/31/21.

Holiday Inn, Wall Street | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 7/31/21.

Holiday Inn, Seaport | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 7/31/21.

Gild Hall, Financial District | Click here to make a reservation | Deadline to book and receive discounted rates is 8/02/21.

Driving & Parking

We recommend that participants driving to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour carpool and park in Staten Island in the morning. Parking will be easier and you’ll avoid waiting for the ferry at the end of the day. If you park on the street, please observe all posted parking restrictions. Cars parked along the Tour Route will be towed.

Due to ongoing construction, there will be limited parking in the Staten Island Ferry lots, but don’t worry, there are plenty of nearby alternatives. Click here for parking options.

Morning Ferry service on Tour Day will depart every 30 minutes to ensure that cyclists get from Staten Island to the Start Area in time to get rolling. A one-way trip lasts 30 minutes, and is free. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and masks are required. We will provide recommended departure times for each wave start at a later date, so please check back here frequently

PARKING OPTIONS

Bike

We’re quite partial to this option. From anywhere in Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn, the best way to get to the Start Area is by bike. The Hudson River Greenway and Broadway both lead directly to Bowling Green. For detailed directions, use Google Maps to plan your route. Be sure to click the bicycle icon.

Subway

Note that some subway stations do not accommodate bikes. The MTA requests that participants do not bring bikes on the L/M/G trains. Visit www.mta.info for customized travel directions using TripPlanner, or call the MTA for more information by dialing 511. Check the schedule for changes as Tour day approaches.

From Hoboken, take the PATH train toward 33rd St. and get off at the Christopher St. stop. From Newark, Journal Square, Grove St. and Exchange Pl., take the 33rd St/HOB train and get off at the Christopher St. stop. From Christopher St. connect with the West Side Highway bike path and ride south to your correct start wave entrance.
The fare is $2.75, payable by MetroCard.
Bikes are not permitted on the first car of the train.
Note that you will need to use stairs to get to street level, so be prepared to carry your bike.
For up-to-date information, system map, station locations, and parking information, visit www.panynj.gov or dial 1-800-234-PATH.

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)

The Manhattan stop for the LIRR is Penn Station, at 34th St. and 7th Ave.
At Penn Station, cyclists can transfer to downtown subway service or bike downtown to Bowling Green.
On Tour Day, off-peak fares apply and bike permit rules are suspended.
Cyclists should attempt to distribute themselves evenly throughout the train to facilitate the flow of customers boarding and disembarking at stations.
Bring an elastic bungee cord to secure bikes to the train.
For more information, updates, and departure times and station locations, visit www.mta.info/lirr.

Metro-North Railroad

Take Metro North to Grand Central Station at East 42^nd St. and Park Ave.
To get to Bowling Green via subway from Grand Central Terminal, take the 4, 5, or 6 train to the Brooklyn Bridge or City Hall stations.
On Tour Day,
- bikes are allowed on all trains on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven Lines;
- bike permit rules are suspended;
- restrictions on the number of bikes per train will remain with a maximum of eight bikes per train; and
- off-peak fares apply.
For more information on departure times and station locations, visit www.mta.info/mnr.

NY Waterway (From Jersey City)

NY Waterway will provide ferry service from Harborside in Jersey City to the Brookfield Place/Battery Park City Terminal in downtown Manhattan. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

While you're in NYC...

If you’re coming to New York City for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, then make sure to check out the nycgo.com for official visitor information to help you plan your trip! The guide is a great resource for everything you need to know regarding where to stay, eat, drink and play while you’re in town.

On Sunday, August 22, cyclists of all skill levels will come from around the world to roll through every borough of New York City on streets totally free of cars. For one day, the roads are yours, the bridges are yours, the City is yours—there’s no better way to experience the Big Apple. Produced in conjunction with the City of New York, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is a charitable ride that funds free bike education programs reaching thousands of New Yorkers each year. In response to the pandemic, our programming went virtual—we taught more than 30,000 kids and adults critical bike skills in 2020 alone. When you ride with Bike New York, you’re helping us in our mission to empower more New Yorkers with the skills to ride safely and confidently on city streets.

Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Charity Partners

CaringKind, The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullaso Research Association of America (DEBRA of America)

Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research

If you would like to cover and/or ride the TD Five Boro Bike Tour as a member of the press, please complete and submit this form.

Download the 2021 MEDIA KIT

Photo Gallery

FAQ

When is the next TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

The 43rd edition of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour will take place on Sunday, August 22, 2021. If you haven’t yet, please sign up for our monthly newsletter and mailing list (at the top right corner on the homepage of our website) to get updates on all things Bike New York!

When does registration for the 2021 Tour open?

Registration is currently OPEN. To register, please click here.

How much does the Tour cost?

The price for standard registration is $112 (plus processing fees), $22 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation. VIP registration is $350 (plus processing fees), $73.50 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation. All Tour fees are nonrefundable, non-deferrable, and nontransferable. Tour fees are subject to change from year to year.

Why am I being charged a processing fee?

The processing fee that you see at the end of your registration is charged by EnMotive, the registration platform we use for the Tour. Fees are charged for the service that is provided and the convenience of using a credit card. These fees do not go to Bike New York, but to the software company and credit card company that is used for the transaction.

Where does the money go?

Proceeds from the Tour fund our free bicycle education programs. In 2020 alone, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we taught bike riding and bike safety skills in our virtual classroom to more than 25,000 kids and adults. Click here to see how we turn your support into action.

I deferred my entry to the 2021 Tour; what do I need to do now?

All riders who deferred their 2020 Tour registration to the 2021 Tour have been sent an email (to the email address associated with their 2020 registration) with instructions on how to register for the 2021 Tour; if you no longer have access to that email address, please contact us at info@bike.nyc. Make sure to include your old email address as well as your new one.

What steps will be taken to prevent Covid-19 transmission to other Tour participants?

We are working with state and local health officials and will follow all COVID-19-related and safety guidelines in place up to and during the Tour.

Are riders required to have the Covid-19 vaccine in order to participate?

We are working with state and local health officials and will follow all COVID-19-related and safety guidelines in place up to and during the Tour.

What is the limit on the number of riders allowed on the 2021 Tour due to the pandemic?

In consideration of the challenges posed this year, the longstanding cap of 32,000 riders has been reduced to 20,000.

Are there age restrictions for 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?

Every year, we welcome cyclists from dozens of countries around the world. For the 2021 Tour, we will comply with all national and international travel guidelines in place up to and at the time of the Tour. International riders will be able to defer their 2021 Tour registration to the 2022 Tour if they are unable to ride in the 2021 Tour due to closed borders as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

What kind of bike is allowed on the Tour? Can I use my e-bike?

Any human-powered bike (recumbent, unicycle, tandem, tricycle, etc.) is permitted. Also, as per recent changes to NYC law, you may now use a pedal-assist e-bike in the Tour.

Where can I purchase shorts to match the Limited Edition 2021 Tour jersey?

You can complete your kit by adding shorts (or purchase a jersey if you haven’t already) in Primal Wear’s online shop. Due to the shortened timeline for this year’s Tour, shorts and jerseys will not arrive until after the Tour. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Why is the jersey I ordered arriving after the Tour?

The 2021 Limited Edition Tour Jerseys are made to order. Production on these jerseys starts months in advance of the Tour so they arrive in time for the event.

Due to the shortened timeline for this year’s Tour, this is not possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Can you mail me my rider packet and rider identification kit?

Yes! You may sign up for mailing during registration, or add it on later; the cost is $30 per person.

Where is Packet Pickup?

Packet Pickup for the 2021 Tour will take place at Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street on Friday, 8/20 and Saturday, 8/21. Although this is not our usual Expo, we will have official Tour and other Bike New York merchandise available for purchase, and we are adding some select partners and vendors to join us on-site. We’ll provide more details as we get closer to Tour day, so please check back here frequently.

My child is riding with me, but cannot attend Packet Pickup. Can I pick up their packet?

Yes, you may pick up your child’s packet, as long as your child is under 18 years old.

If I can't make it to Packet Pickup, can someone else pick up my rider kit?

Yes; we are happy to offer Proxy Packet Pickup again this year. More details, including a downloadable Proxy form, will be added as the Tour gets closer, so please check back here frequently.

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
Covered baskets
Any bag over 420 cubic inches (6.9 liters)

If you think your bag may be on the prohibited list, do not bring that bag. It (and all contents within it) may be confiscated. Confiscated property will not be returned under any circumstances, and Bike New York is not responsible for confiscated property. Here’s some more info.

PLEASE NOTE: These restrictions are subject to change, so check back often.

Will finisher medals and helmet covers be given out?

Due to this year’s shortened Tour timeline we are unable to offer finisher medals or helmet covers for the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. However, we will be offering rider photos free of charge. We hope to be back to normal for 2022.

What is the route for the Tour?

The Tour route will remain at 40 car-free miles through all five boroughs.* To view a map of the route overview, please click here.

*Tour route is subject to change.

What are staggered start waves?

To keep the Tour flowing smoothly, riders will be assigned to a start wave. Participants who link together as a team will be assigned to the same start wave. The start waves are as follows:

Start 1 – 7:30 AM

Start 2 – 8:10 AM

Start 3 – 8:45 AM

Start 4 – 9:20 AM

How can I guarantee that I'll be assigned to the first start wave?

In order to be placed in the first start wave, you must be a Bike New York Member, or register as a VIP or Charity Rider.

Can I start farther along the Tour route and avoid the Start Area?

No. Riders must depart from the designated Start Area during their assigned start wave.

What if I am late to my designated start wave?

Simply depart with the following start wave. Please note the last start wave departs at 9:20AM. All riders must cross the Start line by 9:50AM.

Can I start with an earlier start wave?

No. You may fall back to a later start wave, but not an earlier one.

When will I know what start wave I'm in?

We will be assigning start waves in early August, and will email you with start time and location information as the Tour gets closer.

How long is the Tour?

The Tour travels 40 miles from lower Manhattan to Staten Island (near the Staten Island Ferry). You’ll have at least eight hours to complete the Tour, so no matter how fast or slow you roll, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds. Please keep in mind a variety of factors will ultimately determine how long it will take you to finish up, including your experience level, how frequently you stop at rest areas, and your hydration level. If you’re towing a child in a tagalong or tandem bike, this can also affect your speed, especially on hills.