TD Five Boro Bike Tour - 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of the beloved friendly competition

Today, May 7, the streets of New York will be closed for the biggest bike marathon in the City, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Tour, as well as a milestone of reaching a million riders registered since the first biking marathon. Thousands of bikers are taking part in this exciting event. The first wave of bikers is expected to depart from Lower Manhattan at 7:30 am. There are 6 waves planned for this year, each one starting its ride 35 minutes after the previous one. 

From Lower Manhattan, the Tour will move to the Bronx, Queens, then Brooklyn, and will finish at Staten Island. 

Along the route, the bikers will be able to get all the needed services like resting areas, water stations, bathrooms, and, of course, medical help. After the tour, they are invited to relax in the festival area with food and drinks from the best local vendors, entertainment, and official merchandise. All the money from the merchandise will be donated to the funding of free bike education programs and the development of biking infrastructure in New York City.

To me, as a New Yorker, TD Five Boro Bike Tour is a great initiative, one that introduces more people to alternative, more eco-friendly transportation means, and ensures its availability in the city. Even more importantly, exercising and getting in shape for the tour is a great way to stay healthy and active in today’s busy world, when there’s so little time for sports. 

With all the roads being closed throughout five boroughs, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and The City Department of Transportation are advising to avoid traveling by car and use public transit instead, so if you are planning on traveling this Sunday, keep that in mind!

And now let's get those pedals rolling!

Article by Mary Zakharova