Bike Month NYC
This May marks the 17th anniversary of Bike Month NYC, a collaborative effort sponsored by Transportation Alternatives and various NYC government agencies devoted to getting people onto two-wheelers. A variety of kick-ass events are planned, including the Annual Bike to Shea Day (May 10).
Now–May 31 (bikemonthnyc.org)
Commerce Bank Five-Boro Bike Tour
The event itself may be full, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cheer on the participants. It kicks off in Battery Park, and spans a 42-mile route throughout the city, ending at a festival in Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island.
May 4 (bikenewyork.org)
First Annual LIC Bike Parade
First, pimp your bike with a little help from artists from Socrates Sculpture Park, Freestyle Arts Association, Materials for the Arts and the Noguchi Museum. Then show it off as you spin down Vernon Boulevard and through Queensbridge Park.
May 10 at Socrates Sculpture Park (bikenewyork.org)
Fast and Fabulous
The city’s premiere LGBT bike club sponsors monthly events—ranging from tours of the five boroughs to biking centric trips to places like Montauk and Provincetown—as well as a monthly dinner for members.
Events throughout the summer (fastnfab.org)
Long Island Harbors Ride
Get some fresh Suffolk County air with routes ranging from 30–100 miles, and optional instructor-led trips perfect for families and less-experienced riders. The start and finish are in Brentwood, NY, where you can catch a post ride festival.
June 29 (bikenewyork.org)
Tri-State Trek
Challenge yourself to some serious exercise—and to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s Disease research— on this three-day, 270-mile charity ride, which originates in Boston and ends in New York.
Jul 18–Sun Jul 20 (Tristatetrek.com)
Critical Mass Bike Rides
Join fellow cycling and environmental enthusiasts for this monthly mix of protest, celebration and socializing.
Last Friday of every month, meet at Union Square North, 7pm. 2nd Friday of every month, meet at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, 7pm. (times-up.org)
—Katherine Goldstein
Hey, what about the famous World Naked Bike Ride scheduled for June 20 in Central Park? No, really.