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May 1st marks the beginning of Bike Month, a 31-day celebration of cyclists. Bike Month has been around since 1956, encouraging more people to adopt biking into their lifestyles. There are a ton of cool activities going on to celebrate. To help you find the best, we’ve curated a list of our favorite bike month events to check out.
May 1st – 31st: Bike to Work Challenge
The Bike to Work Challenge is a competition to find the workplace that bikes the most in New York City during the month of May. The competition will take place in all five boroughs and teams of any size are encouraged to get involved. Prizes will be awarded to the companies that have the highest number of trips logged against the number of employees. You can use your own bike, a Citi Bike, rent a bike from Unlimited Biking, or borrow a bike for free for a week from Brompton Bicycle.
May 5th: Central Park Moonlight Ride
10:00pm – 12:00am
Join other bikers for a scenic group ride through Central Park. This leisurely trip allows you to see the park in a whole new light. There are bike guides in the front and rear to ensure a safe ride. The moonlight ride finishes before midnight and the total mileage is under 10 miles. All you need to bring is yourself and a bike. Bike lights are highly recommended.
May 13th: New York Bike Jumble
10:00am – 4:00pm
You’re not going to want to miss the seventh annual New York Bike Jumble this year. You can find everything from collectable pieces to beginner bikes by searching through hundreds of different new and used equipment, accessories, clothing, and more. If you’re looking for a good deal on anything bike-related, this is where you’ll find the best bargains. You can even test out bikes before purchasing!
May 14th: CycloFemme
Celebrate Mother’s Day biking with a community of people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and bicycle preferences in honor of women. CycloFemme is celebrated throughout 40 countries worldwide and focuses on empowering women by bringing them together to ride. Check out the CycloFemme calendar to choose one of multiple NYC-based rides.
May 19th: Bike to Work Day
May 19th marks the nationwide event: Bike to Work Day. Hop on your bike, throw your work shoes in your bag, and peddle to the office. Biking to work is not only good for your heart, but can also be a great way to conserve energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. You’re encouraged to go out and find out what your community is doing to celebrate. Stay up to date with information from Transportation Alternatives.
May 21st: East Coast Greenway’s 5-Island Tour
9:00am
Ride with a community of bikers along the East Coast Greenway, cycling through 5 different islands for a 29-mile guided ride. This is a great chance to see Manhattan, Randalls Island, Queens, Roosevelt Island, and the South Bronx in a different way. There will be multiple stops along the way to note landmarks and significant historical events.
May 20th: Ride to Montauk
On May 20th, you can ride from Manhattan, Babylon, or Mastic Shirley to Montauk for a scenic journey past the beautiful homes, farms, windmills, and even the ocean. You don’t have to be an expert to ride as options range from 30, 73, 108, and 150 miles. Not only will you find great scenery as you ride but also fully stocked rest stops with food like pie, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hummus, and even ice cream. There are hot showers, free massages, and even more food at the end of the ride!