These are TD Five Boro Bike Tour FAQs.  Please see the Lottery FAQs page for details about the lottery and the Expo & Packet Pickup page for details about packet pickup and the Expo.

What is the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
Where does the money go?
How much does it cost to register for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
Can children ride on their own or do they need to be attached to my bicycle?
Can kids ride in trailers?
What are the rules related to bringing my child on the tour?
What is the route for TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
How do I get back to Manhattan at the end of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
What are staggered starts?
Why is Bike New York implementing staggered start times?
Can I start the ride farther along the tour route and avoid the start line?
Will there be a finish festival?
What happens if I start the ride, but cannot finish it due to unforeseen circumstances?
Is there bike mechanical help along the tour route?
Will there be food and refreshments along the tour route?
I got in to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Can I sell my entry?
What has Bike New York done to create a better rider experience?
What do I do if I see unlawful or hostile actions during the Tour?
How can I find out where rest stops, water stations and bike maintenance hubs are along the TD Five Boro Bike Tour route?
What if I am late to my designated wave start time?
What do I do if I lose one of my possessions while riding?
Do I need a helmet for the ride?
What if the weather looks bad?
What else should I bring on the ride?
What if I lose track of my friends while we are on the tour?
Can I bring a pet on my bike?
Is there an age restriction for the tour?
What sort of travel and accommodation options does Bike New York offer to riders?

Packet Pickup FAQs

Can you mail me my rider packet and tour vest?
I have ridden in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour every year since I can remember. Why am I not guaranteed a spot?
My spouse is out of town during Bike Expo New York, but riding in the tour. Can I pickup his/her packet?
My child is in school, can I pick up his/her packet without them?
How can I pick up my child’s rider vest and tour information/What information do I need to bring?
What forms of identification are considered valid?
My friends and I entered the lottery as a group. Can I pickup their packets at the Expo?

What is the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is America’s largest cycling event.  32,000 cyclists ride 40 miles of car-free streets through all five boroughs of New York City.  The Tour is co-produced by Bike New York and the New York City Department of Transportation.   Proceeds from tour registration fund Bike New York’s education program which provides free bicycle education throughout New York City.

Where does the money go?

Registration fees cover the increased cost of amenities provided for the ride—everything from food and support vehicles to entertainment and recycling facilities—as well as behind-the-scenes expenses. We work hard to keep our price at just a fraction of the charge of other major sporting events that close down city streets. Bike New York is a non-profit organization; any proceeds from the Tour support Bike New York’s mission, including free classes, bike safety training for schools, companies, educators, and the public.

How much does it cost to register for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

A regular adult registration costs $75, while a regular youth (13 and under) registration is $55. All VIP registrations are $300 each.  There is an additional nonrefundable lottery registration fee of $6 for all entrants.

Can children ride on their own or do they need to be attached to my bicycle?

3-9 year olds must ride with an adult guardian on a tandem bicycle or in an attached trailer.  Children ages 10-13 may ride on their own bicycle, but must be accompanied by an adult guardian.  A strict one adult to one child ratio will be enforced.
 Children ages 14 and above may bike independently but are encouraged to stay in proximity to their registered guardian.


Can kids ride in trailers?

Yes, as long as the bicycle is operated by an adult over the age of 18.


What are the rules related to bringing my child on the tour?

As always, we welcome children on the ride, but for safety reasons no one under the age of three can participate in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.  Youth ages 3 to 9 must ride on a tandem bike, tagalong bike, or a bike trailer.  Youth ages 10 to 13 can ride their own bicycles in proximity to their adult guardian.  Youth ages 14 to 17 can ride their own bicycles but are subject to an adult registration fee.  All youth must be registered by an adult guardian.  For safety purposes every child must have at least one registered adult enter the tour with them.

What is the route for TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is a 40 mile, car-free ride through all five boroughs of New York City.  With 32,000 cyclists on the road, it is the largest cycling event in North America.  Proceeds from the tour fund Bike New York’s education programs.  Click HERE for the route map.

How do I get back to Manhattan at the end of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

After leaving the Festival on Staten Island you can take the ferry back to Battery Park in Manhattan or pick up your car if you parked in the South Beach parking lot near the festival.

What are staggered starts?

In order to improve rider experience, Bike New York is implementing staggered starts for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Riders will be assigned to one of three start times.  This will minimize waiting at the start line, alleviate bottlenecks and create a more enjoyable ride for everyone.

Why is Bike New York implementing staggered start times?

After feedback from last year’s tour, Bike New York has implemented staggered start times to provide a better overall tour experience.  Segmenting starting groups will reduce waiting time at the start and potential bottlenecks along the route.

Can I start the ride farther along the tour route and avoid the start line?

No, riders ­must start during the designated start time.   

Will there be a finish festival?

There will be a Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island! There will be music, sample and photo booths, and food available for purchase.

What happens if I start the ride, but cannot finish it due to unforeseen circumstances?

You can leave the ride at any time. Note that if you leave the Tour, you will be riding in motorized traffic and will have to watch for cars and road hazards. We recommend the following locations:

Mile 14, York Avenue and 63rd Street, Manhattan: This is your last chance to exit the Tour in Manhattan. If you don’t want to go to Queens, travel straight on 63rd Street after the Tour exits FDR Drive. Do not take the left-hand turn onto the ramp of the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge.

Mile 27, Brooklyn Bridge: Just before the Tour enters the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), you can leave the Tour and take the Brooklyn Bridge bike path into downtown Manhattan. Marshals on the Brooklyn side will direct you (this is recommended for those traveling with children).

Is there bike mechanical help along the tour route?

Each rest area will have a bicycle mechanic station for minor repairs. Rider Assist Marshals should be able to offer some assistance for minor repairs while on the route.

Will there be food and refreshments along the tour route?

Yes, each rest stop will have all sorts of nutritious snacks and goodies to keep you going until the end!

I got into the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Can I sell my entry?

No. Registration is nonrefundable and nontransferable. If you are selected in the lottery, you can decline before you pay the registration fee. If you later decide not to ride, we can convert your registration into a charitable contribution. Please email email Bike New York as soon as possible if you want to explore this option.

What has Bike New York done to create a better rider experience?

Based on observations and rider feedback we will be taking steps to increase communication with riders and provide a smoother tour route.  We will be implementing staggered start times at the beginning of the tour.  This will reduce wait times at the beginning of the day and alleviate potential bottle necks later in the ride.  Bike New York is working closely with City agencies to limit construction and traffic interference during the Tour.  To increase and streamline communication with riders, Bike New York will be incorporating social media to provide immediate updates on any route issues. Bike New York is also exploring additional tools to provide easy and quick updates throughout the ride day. 


What do I do if I see unlawful or hostile actions during the Tour?

Alert event staff and/or NYPD officers.

How can I find out where rest stops, water stations and bike maintenance hubs are along the TD Five Boro Bike Tour route?

Click HERE for the route map.


What if I am late to my designated wave start time?

We are making changes in our start area to provide a better rider experience by assigning people to start times so please make every effort to be on time. If some unforeseen circumstance occurs, join the following wave.  Please let a marshal know that you have entered at a different time.

What do I do if I lose one of my possessions while riding?

We ask all riders who find lost possessions on the route to hand them in to a staff member, letting them know where the item was found. If you lost an item, you can ask a representative at the information tent at the Finish Festival if anybody turned it in, but the best course of action would be to email Bike New York with a description of the item and a note about where you think you lost it. When all items are turned in, we will contact you if we find it.  The TD Five Boro Bike Tour and Bike New York are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Do I need a helmet for the ride?

Yes, helmets are required for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.

What if the weather looks bad?

The ride goes on, rain or shine. Be sure to dress and plan accordingly for the weather.  If cold weather or rain are expected, please dress with that in mind. If it’s going to be a warm, sunny day, don’t forget your sunscreen!

What else should I bring on the ride?

While the tour provides snacks and hydration at the rest areas, don’t forget to bring two hydration bottles full of water and a sport drink, some small snacks, and a spare tube in case you get a flat. You will want to pump your tires full of air the day before. Also, you will want your camera and cell phone.

What if I lose track of my friends while we are on the tour?

Make a plan in advance with your friends in case you get split up. Rest areas are a good place to meet up with friends. 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.

Can I bring a pet on my bike?

No, pets are not permitted on the tour.

Is there an age restriction for the tour?

As always, we welcome children on the ride, but for safety reasons no one under the age of three can participate in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.  Youth ages 3 to 9 must ride on a tandem bike, tagalong bike, or a bike trailer.  Youth ages 10 to 13 can ride their own bicycles in proximity to their adult guardian.  Youth ages 14 to 17 can ride their own bicycles but are subject to an adult registration fee.  All youth must be registered by an adult guardian.  For safety purposes every child must have at least one registered adult enter the tour with them.


What sort of travel and accommodation options does Bike New York offer to riders?

Visit our lodging page for more information.

Can you mail me my Tour rider packet and Tour vest?

PACKETS WILL NOT BE MAILED.  All participants must pick up their packet and vest at Bike Expo New York on May 3, 4 and 5 (the days preceding the tour).  You must show valid photo identification (see valid photo identification) and your registration e-mail to receive your tour packet.   Alternatively,  you can send a member of your group to the Expo with the proxy packet pickup form, available by emailing info@bikenewyork.org.  The Expo will take place at Basketball City on Pier 36.  Click HERE for more information.

I have ridden in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour every year since I can remember. Why am I not guaranteed a spot?

The lottery system does not give priority to riders who have participated in the tour in the past. We want to guarantee that everyone who applies has a fair and equal chance of riding in the tour.

My spouse is out of town during Bike Expo New York, but riding in the tour. Can I pickup his/her packet?

Yes, you can pick up a packet for up to five individuals, but you must bring the signed proxy packet pickup form available by emailing info@bikenewyork.org.

My child is in school, can I pick up his/her packet without them?

Children are encouraged to attend Bike Expo New York for free bike classes and family programming. In order to pick up the child’s rider packet without the child present, the registered guardian must bring his/her valid photo identification and the confirmation e-mail containing both registration numbers. You do not need to provide identification for the registered youth. Note that adults may only pickup the rider packet for the single youth registered under their name.

How can I pick up my child’s rider vest and tour information/What information do I need to bring?

Children are encouraged to attend Bike Expo New York for free bike classes and family programming. In order to pick up rider information without the child present, you must bring your valid photo identification and the confirmation e-mail containing both registration numbers. You do not need to provide identification for the registered youth. Note that adults may only pickup the rider packet for the single youth registered under their name.

What forms of identification are considered valid?

Residents of the United States and Puerto Rico must show state or federal government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, DMV photo ID, or passport. Non-US residents, including Canadian residents, are required to show a valid passport (except residents of Puerto Rico, see above).

My friends and I entered the lottery as a group. Can I pickup their packets at the Expo?

Yes, group members can pick up packets for all registered group members. Group members must bring the signed proxy form along with the confirmation e-mail containing all group members and valid photo identification.