New York Five Boro Bike Tour 2026

Book your bike here

The New York Five Boro Bike Tour takes place every year on the first Sunday of May. In 2026 it falls on May 3rd. On this day, more than 30,000 participants from all over the world will meet in Lower Manhattan, before cycling the NYC Five Boro Bike Tour. The route is 40 miles (65 kilometres) long and has been made completely car-free for this event.

Eric's Index

1 Participate in the New York 5 Boro Bike Tour
- 1.1 The route
- 1.2 Finish Festival
2 How to register
- 2.1 Rent a bike
3 FAQ

Participate in the New York 5 Boro Bike Tour

Biking in New York can normally be quite a challenge due to the heavy traffic. However, during the Five Boro Bike Tour, you will not be bothered by this. It is a unique way to discover the different boroughs of New York. The 5 boroughs tour is being organised to promote biking in New York.

Eric’s Tip: “I took part in the Five Boro Bike Tour myself once and found it a really enjoyable experience. Every few kilometres, you pass a stand with snacks and tyre repair options, and people of all ages take part, even children. The bridges are a bit harder to cycle over, but overall the route is quite manageable.”

The route

Are you wondering what the Five Boro Bike Tour route looks like? I’ll tell you exactly which parts of NYC the tour crosses.

The tour begins at Bowling Green, which is located close to the One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Don’t forget to look up; you’ll be amazed by the skyscrapers around you!
You cycle towards the north of Manhattan and cross the green Central Park.
Via Harlem, you cross the water to The Bronx.
Then you head south on the freeway on the east side of Manhattan, cross the East River via the Queensboro Bridge and discover Queens and Brooklyn. You will be amazed by the great contrast between the different districts.
Then you will brave the longest suspension bridge in the United States: the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The view from here is magnificent!
The bridge ends in Staten Island, the last borough of this bike tour.

Finish Festival

After reaching the finish on Staten Island, you can unwind at the Finish Festival. Enjoy the live music, food and drinks. Back to Manhattan? Take the free Staten Island Ferry. Don’t forget to photograph the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

How to register

You can register online prior to the Five Boro Bike Tour. When you register, you are participating in a charitable ride that funds free bike education programs. With this, you are helping more New Yorkers gain the skills to ride safely on the city streets.

Register here for the Five Boro Bike Tour

Rent a bike

When you are participating in the Five Boro Bike Tour, you obviously need a bike. You can reserve a bike in advance and pick it up near the starting location. If necessary, the bike can be adjusted to your wishes.

Rent your bike for the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York here

Eric’s Tip: “If you think the Five Boro Bike Tour is a bit too long, you can also take one of the bike tours in New York or rent a bike to explore the city on your own.”

FAQ

Yes, they can! You can register online to participate and reserve a rental bike in advance.

Yes, the tour passes through all five New York boroughs, so there are many places where you can see the bikers cycling by.

The Five Boro Bike Tour isn't a super fun race to watch, like the New York Marathon. Nevertheless, there are still spectators along the entire route. If you want to catch a glimpse of the tour during your visit, I recommend going to the starting point in Downtown Manhattan at the intersection of Franklin Street and Church Street.