Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez participating in Bike-to-Work Day 2023.
May is National ‘Bike Month’ and Friday, May 17, is national ‘Bike-to-Work Day’
Bike ridership in NYC has surged to record levels with over 610,000 rides taken each day
New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today is encouraging New Yorkers to join him in partaking in Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 17, to promote cycling as a healthful, environmentally-friendly, and accessible form of transportation. Bike ridership is at an all-time high in New York City, with 610,000 rides taken each day. As NYC DOT continues to expand its biking infrastructure, including a record 32 miles of protected bike lanes built last year—more than every other major city in America combined—efforts remain steadfastly focused on ensuring equitable access for all New Yorkers.
Throughout Bike Month, NYC DOT will be organizing various events across New York City, such as free helmet distributions, group rides, bike repair stations, installations, learn-to-ride lessons and additional activities. For the first time, NYC DOT is also inviting employees from sister agencies to participate in DOT’s guided bike tour for Bike-to-Work Day. Experienced NYC DOT cyclists will guide interested City agency employees from meet-up locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan and meet at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza Square adjacent to 55 Water Street.
“Last year, this administration built 32 miles of protected bike lanes in New York City — more than every other major city in America combined,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “An average of 610,000 bike rides are taken every day in New York City, but I know we can surpass that. Let’s pedal our way to a greener, healthier, and more vibrant New York City this Friday by participating in Bike-to-Work Day.”
“This Friday, I encourage all New Yorkers to join me in participating in Bike-to-Work Day. I hope more New Yorkers will continue to embrace cycling as a go-to way of getting around. It’s good for your health, the planet, and it gets you where you’re going faster,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Every day, we are dedicated to improving New York City’s biking network with more bike lanes and developing infrastructure that supports cyclists of all abilities as more and more New Yorkers are choosing cycling as their primary mode of transportation.”
NYC DOT has the largest network of protected bike lanes nationwide. As the city continues to build new bike lanes, careful consideration is given to improve the connections within the existing network. Through Vision Zero, NYC DOT has achieved significant success in promoting the rapid growth in cycling and making it safer for everyone. Bike ridership has reached a new all-time high in New York City with over 610,000 bike trips occurring daily. New Yorkers can ride through 1,571 bike lanes, including 689 protected lanes, offering New Yorkers enhanced safety and convenience.
Just last week, NYC DOT released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a company that will operate a network of 500 secure biking parking locations next year. This secure bike storage network is critical for New Yorkers as many lack in-home bike storage space or cannot carry heavier e-bikes or cargo bikes up stairs in apartment buildings, which may pose a significant barrier to bike ownership. The agency will install storage locations equitably across the five boroughs to help ensure all New Yorkers can experience the benefits of cycling.
NYC DOT updates bike-related data on its website as it becomes available and is looking to encourage even more trips with new bike lanes, bike boulevards, and public bicycle parking infrastructure as well as new, innovative designs to accommodate emerging e-micromobility use, including wider bike lanes.
ABOUT BIKE-TO-WORK DAY
The League of American Bicyclists established ‘Bike-to-Work Day’ as part of the organization’s efforts to showcase the benefits of cycling and encourage more Americans to try cycling. The first national Bike-to-Work Day was held in 1956.
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Bike the Block – Open Street events focused on bicycle programming and education in areas that have historically seen under-investment in transportation infrastructure. Bike the Block improves and expands community engagement in support of street improvement projects, empowers communities to reimagine their streets, and creates a platform for local cycling advocacy. These events include free learn-to-ride and bike handling skill classes with Bike New York.
Helmet Fittings and Gear Giveaways – NYC DOT has provided over 300,000 free bicycle helmets to New Yorkers since 2006. In partnership with organizations and councilmembers, NYC DOT will host over 40 free helmet fittings and bike light giveaway events across the city in 2024. This season, many of these events will offer ‘Get Pumped’ free bike maintenance and there will be special outreach events for delivery workers who can receive safety vests and helmets.
NYC DOT will also organize guided group rides throughout the season as well as during Summer Streets and Open Street events with local partners.
A list of bike events can be found at NYC DOT’s Bike Events page.
SAFE BIKING ROUTES
In addition to updating the NYC Bike Map every year, NYC DOT has developed a list of self-guided bike rides in various neighborhoods across the city, with varying distance and difficulty levels. New rides will be added throughout the campaign and posted on the campaign website.
