Monroe County Bike Week spans two consecutive weekends from May 9th to 18th and offers cycling events for all ages and abilities.

The purpose is to celebrate bicycling in Monroe County, show newcomers how welcoming our bike community is, and encourage residents to leave their cars at home for short trips in good weather in favor of two or three wheeled devices.

Bike Week is put together by Reconnect Rochester but is truly a grassroots effort in that each event is organized individually. Information for the rides is below, along with a specific contact for each ride.

Friday, May 9

7:15pm: Reconnect Rochester’s Light Up the Night Ride (131 Elmwood Ave)

This fun 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 7pm; A 10-mile intermediate ride will proceed through bike boulevards and trails at 7:45pm at a casual pace. Dress warm and bring an extra layer for when the temperature creeps down after dark. Contact: Jesse Peers jesse@reconnectrochester.org

Saturday, May 10

8:00am: Just for Giggles Coffee Ride (Collins Pavilion at Schoen Place in Pittsford (between Aladdin’s & Lock 32 Brewing)

Join Just for Giggles for a fun ride along the Erie Canal to Downtown Rochester where they stop at Javas for coffee before riding back. More information about their events can be found at https://linktr.ee/justforgigglescycling Contact: Info@WNYBRC.com

9:00am: Rochester Bicycling Club: Avon Calling (behind Union Presbyterian Church, Browns Ave, Scottsville, middle of lot)

22-mile no-drop group ride. To enjoy this ride, you should be able to ride for 2 hours at 10-12 mph. Greenway Trail to Avon for sandwiches & desserts at T’s on Genesee. Contact: Ken Hansen kenkj1@yahoo.com

10:00am-1:00pm: Rochester Hope Spring Bike Skills Rodeo (St. Michael’s Church, 869 North Clinton Avenue)

Participants will practice bicycle safety skills and learn proper helmet fit to reduce the risk of injury. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your helmet & bicycle! The Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety will have helmets on hand for participants (ages 4-14) who do not have a helmet. Donated bikes will be raffled off at the end of this event!

2:00pm Flower City Family Cycling Plane-Spotting Ride (Roundhouse Shelter, Genesee Valley Park)

Meet at the Roundhouse shelter in GVP, ride along the Greenway to behind-the-airport to watch planes take off and land, and then ride back. 6.5 miles round trip. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KTq7sJjfS/ Contact: Adrian Martin adrian.r.martin@gmail.com

Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day)

9:00am: Rochester Bicycling Club: Lunch at Schoen Place (291 Long View Plaza, Long Pond Rd, Greece)

27-mile no-drop group ride. To enjoy this ride, you should be able to ride for 2 hours at 10-12 mph. Canal path all the way, from west to east, and back. Contact: Ken Hansen kenkj1@yahoo.com

11:00am-12:30pm Pedal with Mom (99 O’Connor Road, Fairport)

Join GROC for the “Pedal with Mom” celebration during Bike Week! This relaxed, all-abilities ride invites mothers and their families to enjoy a special morning together on two wheels. Their family-friendly route includes a refreshing stop at a local playground where kids can play while adults catch their breath. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just dusting off your bike for spring, this inclusive event welcomes riders of all ages and skill levels. Give mom the gift of fresh air, exercise, and quality family time this Mother’s Day! Contact: info@mygroc.com Facebook event

11:30am-1:30pm Erie Canal Bike Pit Stop (REI, 450 E Henrietta Rd)

REI will set up outside the back of the store, right on the Erie Canal. We will have coffee and hydration available for cyclists on the canal; a shady area to sit – and offer tire pressure adjustments and chain lube. We will be handing out coupons for Shop Services at REI as part of a promotional package; and offer a handful of giveaways throughout the morning. Contact: smsimps@rei.com

Monday, May 12

6pm: Just for Giggles Cycling Group Ride (Three Heads Brewing,186 Atlantic Avenue)

Rolls from Three Heads Brewing at 6:15 PM. Route varies each week through urban/suburban Rochester. Just for Giggles encourages newcomers to enjoy a friendly, welcoming group. Pace can be considered brisk by some. Details at https://linktr.ee/justforgigglescycling Contact: Info@WNYBRC.com

Tuesday, May 13

Wednesday, May 14

6:00pm Rochester Bicycling Club: Ontario Lake and Pond (Island Cottage at Edgemere, across from Shaller’s)

9-mile no-drop group ride. To enjoy this ride, you should be able to ride for 2 hours at 10-12 mph. Neat ride past summer cottages as well as year-round homes on Lake Ontario. Includes a stop in Braddock Bay Park. Contact: Ken Hansen kenkj1@yahoo.com

6:45pm: Flower City Feeling Good community bike ride with Reconnect Rochester and EE Pathways (Ontario Beach Park, 50 Beach Avenue)

This fun weekly community ride sponsored by the City Rec Department starts at a different location each week. It leads participants along Rochester’s growing low-stress bike network over the summer. The aim is to familiarize residents with bikeways they can use to get around on their own. Participants must have control of their bike and be able to keep up with a casual but steady pace. Start gathering at 6:30pm for a prompt 7pm roll-out. Contact: Jesse Peers jesse@reconnectrochester.org

6:00pm: Western NY Bike Racing Club’s Dead Tulip Group Gravel Ride (Collins Pavilion at Schoen Place in Pittsford)

Join WNYBRC for a fun ride on the Erie Canal and the Rochester, Syracuse, Eastern Trail. Route consists of 23 miles of bike paths and 2 miles of car driven roads. Route Link: https://bit.ly/43TH0dZ Club info can be found at https://linktr.ee/wnybrc Contact: Info@WNYBRC.com

Thursday, May 15

7:15pm: Rochester Bicycle Gang’s Thursday Night Cruise (Parcel 5, 285 E. Main Street)

Join Rochester Bike Gang on their Thursday night ride. This is a casual 10-15mph improvised ride through the city exploring all the different and exciting bike boulevards, neighborhoods as well as connecting bike paths and our expansive bike lane infrastructure. Participants gather at Parcel 5 at 7pm and the ride leaves promptly at 7:30pm. Contact: Bryan Agnello bagnello@gmail.com

Friday, May 16

7:30-9:30am: Bike to Work Day pit stop (Austin Steward Plaza, downtown)

If you’ve never tried biking to work, this is the day! Rochesterians are fortunate to have an average 4.1-mile commute to work, which is about 25 minutes by bike at a casual pace. To thank people cycling to work on May 16th, Reconnect Rochester will have munchies to share and celebrate those who get to work on two wheels. Swing by, fuel up, and talk cycling with our dedicated team. New this year: Reconnect Rochester personnel will lead four rides in the morning, one from each quadrant, to downtown for the pit stop. Details here. Contact: Jesse Peers, jesse@reconnectrochester.org

6:45pm-8:00pm: Brighton Rec Community Bike Ride (Brighton Farmers Market, 1435 Westfall Rd)

Get to know Brighton by bike! Have fun getting familiar with bicycle investments and lower-stress ways to bike around town with Reconnect Rochester. Free, but pre-registration is required. Gather beginning at 6:30 for a prompt 7pm roll-out. Contact: Rebecca Cotter rebecca.cotter@townofbrighton.org

Saturday, May 17

8:00am: Just for Giggles Coffee Ride (Collins Pavilion at Schoen Place in Pittsford (between Aladdin’s & Lock 32 Brewing)

Join Just for Giggles for a fun ride along the Erie Canal to Downtown Rochester where they stop at Javas for coffee before riding back. More information about their events can be found at https://linktr.ee/justforgigglescycling Contact: Info@WNYBRC.com

9:00am: Rochester Bicycling Club: Lakeside Ride (Abbott’s lot, Beach & Lake, Charlotte)

14-mile no-drop group ride. To enjoy this ride, you should be able to ride for 2 hours at 10-12 mph. Flat pleasant ride along Lake Ontario and the Parkway bike trail. Contact: Ken Hansen kenkj1@yahoo.com

10am-12:30pm: Reconnect Rochester’s Local History Bike Tour (Pont de Rennes bridge, High Falls)

Get to know our area’s story and visit important locations to its development. This tour is perfect for residents who want to learn some more about local history. Great for visitors as well! Experience the City’s investment in bike infrastructure along the way. Must register ahead to participate. reconnectrochester.org/localhistorybiketours Contact: Jesse Peers jesse@reconnectrochester.org

Sunday, May 18