Your Impact | Bike New York

Events > TD Five Boro Bike Tour

AUGUST 29, 2021

We hope you had an amazing time at America’s favorite bike ride! We’ll see you on May 1, 2022!

On Sunday, August 29, cyclists of all skill levels came 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.

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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 29, 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!

Can I defer or get a refund if I can't ride on August 29?

The new date for this year’s TD Five Boro Bike Tour is Sunday, August 29, 2021. We understand that you may not be able to join us on the new date, and would like to offer the following choices for your 2021 Tour entry:

Deferral: You may use your 2021 Tour registration fee to participate in one of the following:

Twin Lights Ride on Sunday, September 26, 2021
The 2022 TD Five Boro Bike Tour (to be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022)
The 2023 TD Five Boro Bike Tour (to be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023)
Any 2022 or 2023 regional ride (Discover Hudson Valley or Twin Lights Ride)
A charitable contribution to Bike New York, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

50% Refund: We’ll issue a 50% refund of the cost of your registration (minus processing fees, which go directly to our registration platform) to the credit card you used for registration.

If you cannot ride in the Tour on August 29 and wish to defer your registration to a future event or receive a 50% refund, please email info@bike.nyc by 5:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 28, and make sure to include your full name and the email address you used for registration.

Please note: We are receiving a high number of emails at this time. If we don’t reply to your email until after the Tour, your selection will still be honored, even if you receive a wave assignment email.

If you have already picked up your rider kit and wish to defer, please reach out to us at info@bike.nyc, and do not discard your rider kit.

More information on deferrals and refunds will be emailed to registrants soon.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to make this unusual Tour enjoyable for everyone.

What is Bike New York doing to prevent COVID-19 transmission among Tour participants?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * UPDATED * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bike New York will follow all New York City COVID-19 mandates. As of August 13, 2021, a mandate from the Office of the Mayor requires that individuals be vaccinated to enter certain indoor spaces. In line with this, we will be limiting all Tour-related indoor areas to participants who have been vaccinated.

You may ride in the Tour if you are not vaccinated, but you will not be permitted to enter indoor spaces that are part of the Tour.

To enter the Packet Pickup location and any indoor space related to the Tour, including the VIP/Charity area at the Finish Festival, you must have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
Proof of vaccination (certificate or photocopy) and photo ID will be checked at the Packet Pickup entrance. We will also accept the Excelsior Pass app from New York State residents.
If you are not vaccinated, you must designate a Proxy to pick up your packet.
Please note that Proxies must provide their own proof of vaccination to enter the Packet Pickup location.

In addition, though we will not require participants to wear face masks while riding, we require that you wear one at Packet Pickup and at the Tour Start and Finish areas (including the VIP/Charity area).

Please note that, as mandated by the federal government, masks must be worn on the Staten Island Ferry.

We may update our safety guidelines and requirements as the Tour draws closer, so please check back here frequently.

Are riders required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccine to participate in the Tour?

You may ride in the Tour if you are not vaccinated, but you will not be permitted to enter indoor spaces that are part of the Tour. See above for more details.

Where is Packet Pickup this year?

Packet Pickup for the 2021 Tour will be located outside on the north side of Battery Park near Battery Place and Greenwich St. on Saturday, 8/28 and Sunday, 8/29 during the following hours:

Saturday, August 28, 2021: 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Sunday, August 29, 2021: 6:00AM – 9:00AM

For more information, please check the Packet Pickup page.

Please note: We highly recommend attending Packet Pickup on Saturday, particularly if you have a registration issue. Our Solutions staff will not be able to troubleshoot registration issues at Sunday Packet Pickup. All riders that need to attend Packet Pickup on Sunday are responsible for picking up their packet before their assigned start wave. Please plan for long lines and the possibility that you will miss your start wave time. If you miss your assigned start wave you may start in the following start wave.

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.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RIDER:

Provide your proxy with the following items:

A printout of your completed and signed Proxy Packet Pickup form
Copy of your photo ID
Copy of your QR code (you can find this in your confirmation email)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROXY:

Please bring the following items to Packet Pickup:

A printout of your rider’s completed and signed Proxy Packet Pickup form
Your rider’s photo ID (printout or image on your smartphone)
Your rider’s QR code (printout or image on your smartphone)
Your own photo ID

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A PROXY PACKET PICKUP FORM

Can I bring my bike to Packet Pickup?

Yes, you may bring your bike as Packet Pickup will be located outside on the north side of Battery Park near Battery Place and Greenwich St.

Is bike parking available at Packet Pickup?

We will not offer bike parking at Packet Pickup.

When will my rider packet be mailed?

The deadline to opt into packet mailing was August 2 to ensure all riders receive their packets in time for the Tour.

We began mailing packets out the first week of August; all riders will receive a confirmation email with tracking information once their packets ship. If you opted to have your packet mailed to you, please make sure your Tour waiver is signed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When will I receive my Tour jersey?

Tour jerseys will be mailed between mid-October and early November, depending on when the jersey was ordered.

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, 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

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.

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.

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.

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. You can also check out your start wave assignment in your registration details by logging in to your EnMotive account.

Can I start with an earlier start wave?

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

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.

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.

How Does Riding A Bike Make You Feel? from Bike New York on Vimeo.

Our mission: We unlock the life-changing effects of cycling through education initiatives offered to the public at no cost. Here’s just a handful of the programs you’ll sustain when you ride in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.

We believe that knowledge is power.

Bike New York provides a completely free, year-round curriculum of classes for children and adults at every stage of their cycling journeys, from first rides and fundamentals to commuting and touring. We pioneered the largest free bike education program of its kind and have inspired similar programs around the country. In 2019 alone, Bike New York’s programming reached over 33,000 people.

We’re dedicated to making cycling more inclusive and accessible, and that’s why we hold free classes in all five boroughs at our Community Bike Education Centers. Students are provided with bikes, helmets, and the insights and knowledge of experienced instructors, creating an encouraging environment for building core riding skills—and having a blast while learning!

We respond to the moment.

When COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill, Bike New York was forced to temporarily suspend its in-person programming. Though cycling events came to a halt, the need for bike resources swelled as a huge influx of people turned to cycling for transportation and recreation. We knew we couldn’t slow down.

To address the sudden surge in demand for accessible bike education, we pivoted from teaching in the streets to bringing our lessons to the virtual classroom. Since launching our digital education program and Virtual Bike Education Resource Hub in April, we’ve helped hundreds, if not thousands, of students build their bike skills, confidence, and knowhow—and with aspiring cyclists from across the country tuning in to our weekly classes, we’re making a difference far beyond the five boroughs.

We're keeping our neighborhoods green.

Recycle-A-Bicycle is our personal spin on a local bike shop. We’ve called Brooklyn home for well over a decade, so it’s no stretch to say we know the neighborhood.

In addition to providing New Yorkers with gear and hosting area service programs, RAB accepts donations of old, used, and broken bikes, which we completely restore, refurbish, and sell. What can’t be repaired is salvaged for parts. This means we’re not just giving thousands of well-loved bikes a second chance: In 2019, RAB reused or repurposed nearly 12 tons of material. That’s the same as saving 77.95 metric tons of CO₂e!

“The look of joy on his face when he took off for the first time is something I’ll never forget. I hope every NYC parent learns about this amazing resource and the supportive staff at Bike New York.”

— Robin, parent of a Learn to Ride student

Power First Rides & Breakthrough Moments

We know that learning to ride can be scary, so we do everything we can to keep things safe and fun.

Bike New York works with local communities and NYC DOT to host Bike Bonanzas, no-cost family activity days made to outfit children and their parents with all the tools they need to pedal proudly. We bring our ever-popular Learn to Ride Class for Kids, DOT’s Vision Zero helmet giveaways and fittings, and bike swaps (for kids to trade their old bikes in and upgrade to the next size) to parks and public spaces across the city. Consider it an all-ages block party with bikes.

We're making cycling accessible where it's needed most.

In July 2019, Bike New York celebrated the opening of Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm State Park by launching a free bike share pilot program designed to make exploring nature as easy as checking out a library book. The Bike Library hosts a fleet of 84 bikes (refurbished by graduates of Recycle-A-Bicycle’s Earn-A-Bike program) available for park visitors to “check out” for rides around the grounds in the summer and fall.

In the Library’s first three months, park-goers took 8,585 rides along 10 miles of car-free pathways by scenic Jamaica Bay. The cyclists we served came primarily from the surrounding neighborhoods, with 74% of bike share users hailing from Brooklyn. 34% of rides were taken by people under 18 years of age and, excitingly, riders reflected an even gender split. The Library reopened and expanded for the 2020 season, offering New Yorkers a meaningful way to enjoy the outdoors while social distancing and other pandemic restrictions were in place.

We go the extra mile for kids who love their bikes.

We know that one of the best ways to encourage healthy lifestyle choices and regular physical activity in children and young adults is to give them the freedom to explore on two wheels. We partner with Woodhull Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, and New York Cycle Club to produce our Kids’ Ride Club, a friendly, fun group ride program for youth cyclists in low-income neighborhoods. And to challenge kids to see what cycling life is like beyond city limits, we held our inaugural bike touring trip for teenage bike enthusiasts in 2019, a tristate adventure that pushed them out of their comfort zone to prove just what amazing things they could accomplish together.

We help our neighbors tap into their potential.

Last year, Bike New York partnered with One Community, a nonprofit dedicated to professional training and employment placement, to pilot an intensive, hands-on bike mechanic training program that helps formerly incarcerated New Yorkers continue down the path of rebuilding their lives through the power of stable employment. The program focuses on the particulars of repair and maintenance for Citi Bikes and prepares participants for a well-paying union job on Citi Bike’s mechanic team. Recycle-A-Bicycle provided 60 hours of instruction, as well as tools, materials, and support, to a cohort of students. Learn more about this program here.

We're working to build the path to a safer future for all street users.

In 2019, Bike New York began a concentrated effort to actively engage in and spearhead local-level advocacy initiatives. Within its first year, projects included:

Providing expertise and detail to the City Council’s Streets Master Plan Bill, which passed in October of last year. It commits the city to install 50 miles of protected bike lanes per year starting in 2022, and to measure bike network connectivity.
Supplying a broad set of ideas for Mayor de Blasio’s “Green Wave Plan,” issued in July 2019. It raises NYC DOT’s target for protected bike lanes from 20 to 30 miles per year in 2020 and 2021. It also calls for more attention to the quality of barriers along protected bike lanes, bike-speed signal timing, and bike parking.
Producing a Bike Network agenda to take advantage of congestion pricing.

And in the summer of 2020, Bike New York launched its new Street Action Now! program to instruct a cohort of students in how to analyze unsafe street conditions, perform a street audit, and work with community boards to provoke real change on their blocks.

Together we ride.

TOUR PROGRAM

View the 2021 Tour Program

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