Why the May 2, 2027 Ride Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar
Riding through all five New York City boroughs on car-free streets is a bucket-list day for many cyclists. The TD Five Boro Bike Tour 2027 takes place on Sunday, May 2, 2027, and registration is already open. However, popular entry types fill fast, so early action pays off.
This guide explains fees, entry options and sign-up steps in plain terms. Additionally, it covers bike rules, rental choices and planning tips. Therefore, you can finish reading and register with confidence.
Bike New York, a nonprofit that teaches cycling, runs the event. Your fee supports its free education programs. The details below come from the organizer’s page and a rental partner’s page, checked in October 2026. Prices and rules can change, so confirm the final numbers before you pay.
Tour Date, Distance and Route Basics
Date and Start Area
The ride happens on Sunday, May 2, 2027. It runs rain or shine, and the organizer sends weather notices if severe conditions threaten the day. Riders gather at the start area near Bowling Green in lower Manhattan. The organizer plans to share more start details in the coming weeks, so watch your email.
Your wave decides your start time. Members, VIP riders and charity riders go in Wave 1. Standard riders go in Wave 2 or later. Therefore, your entry type shapes your morning.
Distance and Route
The course covers about 40 miles. It crosses all five boroughs and ends at the Finish Festival on Staten Island. The route closes to car traffic, so riders enjoy open roads and famous bridges. The terrain is mostly flat, but a few climbs test your legs. Eight rest stops offer food, water and restrooms.
Most riders need about five hours, depending on wave and pace. Additionally, leave extra time at the end for the ferry back to Manhattan.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | What to know |
| Date | Sunday, May 2, 2027 |
| Distance | About 40 miles |
| Start | Lower Manhattan, near Bowling Green |
| Finish | Finish Festival, Staten Island |
| Boroughs | Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island |
| Weather policy | Rain or shine |
| Typical ride time | About 5 hours |
Entry Options and Fees
The organizer offers several ways in. Each one has its own price, start wave and perks. The table below compares them. Prices include processing fees, as listed in October 2026.
| Entry option | Cost | Start wave | Main perks |
| Standard (adult and youth) | $187.12 | Wave 2 or later | A spot on the ride; includes a $36 tax-deductible donation |
| Bike New York member | $187.12 | Guaranteed Wave 1 | Earlier start; you buy membership during sign-up |
| VIP (adult and youth) | $496.70 | Wave 1 | Jersey, Manhattan Portage bag, breakfast, timed Verrazzano climb and lunch; includes a $96 donation |
| Team Bike New York | Raise at least $650 | Confirm on the event page | Fundraising team for the organizer’s programs |
| Charity partner | Set by each charity | Wave 1 | Ride for a cause; fundraising rules vary |
Standard Entry
Standard entry suits most riders. It costs $187.12, and $36 of that counts as a tax-deductible donation. However, it puts you in Wave 2 or later. If a later start does not bother you, this is the simplest choice.
Bike New York Membership
Members get guaranteed Wave 1 placement at the same listed entry fee. Additionally, you can buy membership during registration. The event page does not list the membership price, so check your cart total before you pay. Therefore, compare the full cost against the standard route.
VIP Entry
VIP costs $496.70, and $96 of that is a tax-deductible donation. You start in Wave 1 and receive a VIP jersey, a Manhattan Portage bag, breakfast, a timed climb of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and lunch. This option suits riders who want a smoother day.
Team Bike New York
Team riders raise money for the organizer’s programs. Each rider must raise $650 by 11:59 PM on April 15, 2027. If you fall short, the organizer charges the difference to your card on April 16, 2027. Therefore, start fundraising early.
Charity Partner Entry
Charity partners set their own fees and fundraising goals. Their riders start in Wave 1. However, the 2027 partner application deadline has passed, so no new charity can join. If you want to ride for an existing partner, contact that charity directly.
Group Starts, Lotteries and Packages
Teams let friends and family start together in the same wave. However, members, VIP riders and charity riders all start in Wave 1, so the team feature stays off for those categories. Therefore, if your group wants one start time, choose your entry type together.
The event page mentions no lottery for 2027. Additionally, the organizer does not sell tour packages. Hotel Planner, its lodging partner, lists rooms for tour weekend and plans to add more hotels.
Bike Rental Costs
Many riders rent a bike. Unlimited Biking, a rental partner, lists these prices for 2027. Each rental includes a helmet.
| Rental option | Price |
| Hybrid bike (straight-frame or step-through) | $109 |
| Cannondale CAAD aluminum road bike | $149 |
| Velotric e-bike | $199 |
| KHS tandem | $249 |
| Cannondale Carbon Synapse road bike | $349 |
| Kids’ bike (24-inch or 20-inch) | $75 each |
Rentals sell out, so reserve early. Moreover, watch the cancellation dates. You get a full refund if you cancel before 5 PM EST on December 31, 2026. A 50% fee applies before 5 PM EST on February 28, 2027. After that, the fee is 100%.
Refunds and Protection Plan
Registration fees do not roll over to another year. However, you may get a refund if you buy the protection plan during registration or shortly after. Read the plan terms carefully before you decide.
How to Register: Step-by-Step
Before You Start
Gather your details first. You need a payment card, an email address and the name of each rider. Additionally, choose your entry type and your bike before you open the form. Therefore, you can finish in one sitting.
Registration Steps
- Pick your entry type. Compare the options above and choose standard, member or VIP.
- Plan your bike. Decide whether you will ride your own or rent one.
- Visit the official Bike New York event page. Click the registration button for the 2027 ride.
- Create an account or log in. Use an email address you check often, because the organizer sends wave and update notices there.
- Select your category. Choose adult or youth, then pick your entry option.
- Add membership if you want Wave 1. You can buy it at checkout.
- Join or create a team if you want friends in the same wave. Remember that Wave 1 categories cannot use teams.
- Weigh the protection plan. It may open the door to a refund if plans change.
- Pay and save your receipt. Check that each name and category looks right.
- Watch your inbox. The organizer ships apparel in mid-April 2027, and your rider packet includes a helmet cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not wait for a lottery. The event page lists none.
- Buy only through the official Bike New York site or a link it provides.
- Spell every rider’s name correctly.
- Read the refund terms before you pay.
- Keep your confirmation email until after the ride.
Rules, Gear and Planning Tips
Bike and Bag Rules
The tour allows any human-powered pedal bike. That includes pedal-assist e-bikes. However, it bans throttle-powered e-bikes, even with the throttle off. Bags with shoulder straps, panniers, covered baskets and any bag over 420 cubic inches (6.9 liters) also break the rules, and staff may confiscate them. Therefore, pack light and use a small handlebar or frame bag.
The organizer’s page does not state a helmet rule. However, the rental partner calls helmets mandatory. Wear one either way. Free bike repair stands wait along the route, but parts may cost extra.
Getting There
The Staten Island Ferry plays a big role on tour day. The organizer’s page lists service every half hour from 6:00 AM, then every 15 minutes from 11:00 AM. That schedule may change, so confirm it closer to the date.
Where to Stay
Hotel Planner offers rooms for tour weekend. Book early, because hotels fill up on busy weekends. Additionally, a hotel near lower Manhattan shortens your morning trip to the start.
Training and Weather
Build up to 40 miles with weekly long rides. Practice braking and shifting gears in a group. Moreover, May weather in New York swings from cool mornings to warm afternoons, so dress in layers. Because the ride runs rain or shine, pack a light jacket. Bring water, snacks and a spare tube, since the rental partner does not provide spare tubes.
Conclusion
The TD Five Boro Bike Tour 2027 gives you 40 miles of car-free riding on Sunday, May 2, 2027. Standard entry and member entry both cost $187.12, while VIP costs $496.70. Members, VIP riders and charity riders start in Wave 1, and standard riders start later. Team Bike New York riders must raise $650 by April 15, 2027.
To register, choose your entry type, plan your bike, create an account and pay. Additionally, think about the protection plan, because fees do not roll over. Rent early if you need a bike, and follow the cancellation dates. Finally, train, pack light and confirm every detail on the official site. Sign up soon, and you will enjoy one of the best days on two wheels in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the tour take place in 2027?
The ride runs on Sunday, May 2, 2027. It goes ahead rain or shine, and the organizer sends notices if severe weather threatens the day.
2. Is registration open now?
Yes. The organizer’s event page says registration for the 2027 ride is open. However, no closing date appears there, so sign up early.
3. How much does it cost to enter?
Standard and member entry cost $187.12, including a $36 tax-deductible donation. VIP costs $496.70. Team riders must raise $650. Charity partners set their own fees.
4. How long is the route?
The course covers about 40 miles through all five boroughs. Most riders finish in around five hours, depending on their wave and pace.
5. What is a start wave?
A wave is a start group. Wave 1 leaves first. Members, VIP riders and charity riders go in Wave 1, while standard riders go in Wave 2 or later.
6. Can I ride an e-bike?
You can ride a pedal-assist e-bike. However, the tour bans throttle-powered e-bikes, even if you turn the throttle off.
7. Can I get a refund?
Fees do not roll over to another year. However, you may get a refund if you buy the protection plan during or soon after registration.
8. Can I rent a bike for the ride?
Yes. Unlimited Biking rents hybrids from $109 and kids’ bikes at $75 each. Rentals include a helmet. Reserve early, because supply is limited.
9. Does the tour use a lottery?
The event page lists no lottery for 2027. Therefore, you simply pick an entry option and register.
10. Do I need a helmet?
The organizer’s page does not state a rule. However, the rental partner calls helmets mandatory. Wear one for your own safety.
