Rochester's Bike Week 2024 kicks off soon: Dates, events, what to know

After creating their first Active Transportation Plans, the city of Rochester and Monroe County are ready to celebrate Bike Week 2024.

The annual celebration encourages those who haven’t ridden in a while to get back on their bikes while showing residents how welcoming the bike community is. It’s also an opportunity to show recent bicycle investments.

The festivities kick off May 10 with Reconnect Rochester’s Light Up The Night Ride on at 7 p.m. The event runs through May 19.

During Bike Week, residents are invited to join a ride, explore the Rochester’s surroundings and check out Reconnect Rochester’s cycling resources such as their customized map of low-stress bikeways, bike route assistance tool and on-bike classes.

Rochester Bike Week 2024: Weekend 1

Friday, May 10

Light Up the Night Ride (131 Elmwood Ave), 7 p.m.

This ride to kick off Bike Week begins after dark and cyclists are encouraged to light up their bikes with bike lights and other creative lighting options. Gather in the Genesee Valley Sports Complex parking lot after 7 p.m., A ride will proceed through bike boulevards and trails at 7:45 p.m. Contact: Jesse Peers [email protected]

Saturday, May 11

Coffee & Cogs 585 (43 Russell St.), 7:15 a.m.

A 16-mile group ride ,starting and ending at Winter Swan Coffee. Contact: Tom Paradise [email protected]

Just for Giggles Coffee Ride (Schoen Place, Pittsford), 8 a.m.

The course follows the Erie Canal towpath to the University of Rochester then the river trail and city streets to Java’s Cafe on Gibbs Street. Contact: Martin Petrella [email protected]

Arnett Block Association Bike Clinic (340 Arnett Blvd.), 1-3 p.m.

Free bike repairs and raffle. EE Pathways will be on-site to support the Bike Clinic and to register community members for EE Pathways’ Spin-A-Thon event that takes place the following week in order to prepare community members for the Juneteenth Underground Railroad Bike Ride, taking place on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Contacts: Melissa Van Heukelum [email protected] and Latisha McCray [email protected]

Sunday, May 12

Rochester Bicycling Club: Lunch at Schoen Place (Long View Plaza, Long Pond Road, Greece), 9 a.m.

A 27-mile group ride beginning and ending in Greece. Contact: Ken Hansen [email protected]

Rochester Bike Week 2024: Weekend 2

Friday, May 17

Bike to Work Day pit stop (Union Street cycletrack at East Avenue), 7:30-10 a.m.

Rochesterians have an average 4.1-mile commute to work, which is about 25 minutes by bike at a casual pace. Reconnect Rochester will have munchies to share and celebrate those who get to work on two wheels. Contact: Jesse Peers, [email protected]

Saturday, May 18

Just for Giggles Coffee Ride (Schoen Place, Pittsford), 8 a.m.

The course follows the Erie Canal towpath to the University of Rochester then the river trail and city streets to Java’s Cafe on Gibbs Street. Contact: Martin Petrella [email protected]

Rochester Bicycling Club: Hamlin Hustle (Hafner Park, Route 19 just north of Route 104), 9 a.m.

A 24-mile group ride. Possible stop at Farmer’s Table on the way back. Contact: Ken Hansen [email protected]

George Eastman Bike Tour (900 East Ave), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The ride will take you to ten different locations related to the life and work of this pioneer of popular photography and famous Rochesterian. $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Must register and pay beforehand to participate. Contact: Emma Rathe [email protected]

Monroe County Bicycle Skills Rodeo at Rochester Hope’s Third Saturday Service Providers Festival (St. Michael Church, 859 N Clinton Avenue), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monroe County Department of Public Safety employees will be onsite to engage with the neighborhood and teach children the necessary skills for safe and fun bike riding. Staff will also show parents and caregivers how to properly fit helmets, which are provided to the children at no cost. Delta Sonic has partnered with Monroe County and St. Michaels and will be raffling off children’s bikes at the end of the event. The Bike Skills Rodeo will be held in the Salvation Army parking lot across from St. Michael’s. Contact: Jean Triest [email protected]

Sunday, May 19

Rochester Bicycling Club: Lakeside Ride (Abbott’s lot, Beach & Lake, Charlotte), 9 a.m.

A 14-mile group ride along Lake Ontario and the Parkway bike trail. Contact: Ken Hansen [email protected]

Keeping It Classy Cycling Club (KICCC) Flower Pedal Populaire (Cobbs Hill Park, Lake Riley Lodge, 100 Norris Drive), 10:45 a.m.

Rochester Bike Week 2024 ends with this fancy-summery-dress themed ride, which will depart at 11 a.m. and take a leisurely pace through and around the city. Plan for a brunch picnic afterward in a local park. Contact: Laura Mack [email protected]

For more information on Bike Week: https://reconnectrochester.org/bikeweek

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bike Week 2024 in Rochester NY: Dates, events, what to know