It’s Bike Month! Here are the best ways to celebrate

The biking world has had a tough year what with drug scandals, public denouncement, vandalism, and drivers trying to kill local blog editors. But now we cyclists finally get our share of the limelight: May is National Bike Month! The whole city is is celebrating two-wheelers with a ton of bicycle-related events the whole month. We highlighted some of the best events and compiled links to all of the events. Click through to check them out.

TD Five Boro Bike Tour
May 5
This Sunday, 32,000 cyclists are riding 40 miles in a non competitive ride around the city. Each rider will start in Battery Park, bike up to the Bronx, across the Queensboro Bridge, down through Brooklyn, across the Verrazano, and then up through Staten Island back to Battery Park. Registration is closed, but be sure to get out and support the riders. Among them will be Brokelyn’s own Eric Silver.

Queens Botanical Gardens
All-month
If you’re looking for a good reason to hit Queens and want a solid 13-mile ride, then head up to the Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing. They’re giving everyone who arrives by bicycle 50% admission for the entire month! Why not hit up a Mets game afterwards? Citi Field is right around the corner. The garden (43-50 Main St, Queens) is open 8am – 6pm daily.

Citi Bike Street Skills
Throughout the month
Want to start cycling in the city but are worried about riding on the street? Have an interest in learning about the new CitiBike program? Then sign up for one of Bike New York’s Citi Bike Street Skills classes. Certified cycling instructors teach you how to handle some of the most common scenarios you’ll encounter on the street. You’ll also learn about the bike share program and receive a free 24-hour pass to CitiBike.

Brooklyn Bike Jumble
May 11
If your looking to buy or sell a bike or just want to beef up your current ride, go to the Brooklyn Bike Jumble at the Old Stone House on 3rd Street and 5th Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Vendors from all over the region, including Brooklyn, will be selling all kinds of new and used biking goods. Various other bike-related non-profits will also be set up to answer questions and give out info.

Annual Bike to Work Day
May 17
This event was started to encourage bicycle commuting throughout the country. Local cycling activist group Transportation Alternatives will be operating commuter refreshment stations at various points in the city where they’ll be giving out Brooklyn Roasting Company coffee, Vita Coco and breakfast from KIND and Cabot to bicycle commuters. If you’ll be skipping the train that day, sign their pledge. If you have the day off, you can volunteer at one of the several commuter stations.

There are dozens of free cycling-related events that will have you chanting “Two wheels good! Four wheels bad!” For a complete list check out these links:
Bicycle Habitat
BikeNYC
Bike New York
NYC Parks & Recreation
Transportation Alternatives

Know of more? Tell us in the comments.

Have fun, ride sefely, and wear a helmet!