Bike Week 2026 – Reconnect Rochester

Rochester Bike Week spans two consecutive weekends from May 8th to 17th 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 8

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

Kick off Bike Week with Reconnect Rochester’s signature Light Up The Night Ride! Start gathering at 131 Elmwood Ave at 7pm. Mayor Evans and County Executive Bello will be on-site for the Bike Week proclamation. Light up your bike with bike lights, glow sticks and other creative lighting options. Kickstands up promptly at 7:45pm for a ~10-mile “callithumpian” romp around Rochester bike boulevards and trails. Dress warm and bring an extra layer for when the temperature creeps down after dark. Intermediate skill level (must have established riding skills and control of your bike). Contact: Jesse Peers jesse@reconnectrochester.org

Saturday, May 9

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

10:30am-noon: Learn to balance & ride class (Adams St. R-Center, 85 Adams Street)

This free indoor class taught by certified bicycle instructors is for anyone 1st grade & up who hasn’t learned how to balance & ride a bike. Participants get a free helmet from the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety. Must register ahead of time to participate since space is limited. cityofrochester.gov/r-central Contact: Amanda Little amanda.little@cityofrochester.gov

2pm: Flower City Family Cycling ride (Genesee Valley Park’s Roundhouse Shelter)

Meet at Genesee Valley Park for an easy, kid-friendly ride (under 7 miles, almost entirely separated from car traffic). Trailers, tag-alongs, cargo bikes, etc are all welcome. More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/flowercityfamilycycling Contact: Adrian Martin adrian.r.martin@gmail.com

Sunday, May 10 (Mother’s Day)

9am: Two Parks West Ride with the Rochester Bicycling Club (Northampton Park – 55 Hubbell Rd, Spencerport)
Please arrive 20 minutes early to check-in. This RBC ride is an 18 miles supported ride along scenic country roads. Contact: rbcrides@gmail.com

Monday, May 11

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 12

6pm: Tour de Cure “Team JFG” Historic Corn Hill Wellness Trail Bike Tour (Three Heads Brewing, 186 Atlantic Ave)
Meet at 5:45pm. Roll Out at 6:00pm. Return at 7:45 PM. Ride from the Neighbourhood of the Arts through the Susan B Anthony Neighbourhood to Historic Corn Hill where we will visit each of the wellness trail markers and learn about the rich Corn Hill history. The ride is free, but we will be accepting donations to the American diabetes association supporting “Team JFG” fundraising efforts. More info at https://linktr.ee/justforgigglescycling Contact: Martin Petrella martinpetrella62@gmail.com

6-7:30pm: Rochester Youth Cycling Club Girls (Genesee Valley Park)

Please arrive at 5:45pm to check in. Try a mountain bike ride! Mountain Biking involves riding on trails with progression to moving over rocks and roots. Bikes and helmets are provided. RYCC is an incorporated not for profit 501(c)(3) club cycling since 2019 in conjunction with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) for 5th to 12th grade student riders. The RYCC Mission aims to promote and support youth mountain biking in the Greater Rochester, New York area. RYCC provides leadership, aid, and guidance to allow youth cyclists to overcome challenges both on and off the bike. We wish to assist the youth with instilling values that reach far beyond their time spent on a bike. See https://rochesteryouthcyclingclub.org/ for more information or email info@rochesteryouthcyclingclub.org

6-7:30pm: E-Bike 101 – A Practical Guide to Getting Started (Rochester Bicycle + Fitness Bike, 7374 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport)

Curious about e-bikes but not sure where to begin? Join owner Jamie Gruttadauria at Rochester Bicycle in Fairport for a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to electric bikes during Rochester Bike Week. This educational session will cover:

• The difference between Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes

• How far e-bikes really go on a charge

• What to look for when shopping for your first e-bike

• Commuting by e-bike — is it realistic for you?

• Common myths and mistakes to avoid

Whether you’re considering biking to work, riding more with friends, or simply getting back into cycling, this session is designed to give you clarity and confidence — no pressure, no sales pitch. Contact: Jamie rochfit@aol.com

Wednesday, May 13

6pm: Ontario Lake & Ponds Ride with the Rochester Bicycling Club (parking lot across from Schallers – 965 Edgemere Dr, Rochester)
Please arrive 20 minutes early to check-in. Join RBC for a 10 mile out-and-back supported ride along Lake Ontario with a stop at Braddock Bay Park. Contact: rbcrides@gmail.com

6pm: Western New York Bike Racing Club’s “Dead Tulip” Gravel Ride (Collins Pavilion at Schoen Place in Pittsford)
Meet at 5:45pm. Roll Out at 6pm. Return at 8pm. More event information can be found at https://linktr.ee/WNYBRC Contact: Info@WNYBRC.com

Thursday, May 14

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 15

7-9:30am: Bike to Work Day pit stop (Union Street cycle track, 274 East Ave)

If you’ve never tried biking to work, this is the day! Rochester residents 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 15th, 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. Contact: Jesse Peers, jesse@reconnectrochester.org

6:45pm-8:00pm: Brighton Rec Community Bike Ride (Brighton Town Park, 777 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: Annabel Pulley annabel.pulley@brightonny.gov

Time TBD Cycling Season Kick-Off Social (Location TBD)

Hosted by Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclist (GROC) Kick off the 2026 cycling season with a community gathering designed to connect riders with local shops, clubs, and trail advocates. Come out to the trails to discover new riding opportunities, check out gear demos, and enjoy a night of good clean fun with your cycling network.

Saturday, May 16

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

10am-12:30pm: George Eastman Bike Tour (George Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave)

Explore Rochester in a new way. A nod to George Eastman’s own love of cycling, the George Eastman Bike Tour takes you to ten different locations related to the life and work of this pioneer of popular photography. See buildings and sites that shaped this famous Rochestarian’s life—or were in turn shaped by him. Limited space available; advance registration required. Contact: Emma Rathe erathe@eastman.org

10:30-noon: Learn to balance & ride class (Adams St. R-Center, 85 Adams Street)

Sunday, May 17

9am: It’s All Downhill From Here Ride with the Rochester Bicycling Club (Powder Mills Park Playground)

Please arrive 20 minutes early to check-in. Join RBC for a 17 mile out-and-back supported ride along the Auburn Rail Trail. Contact: rbcrides@gmail.com

2pm: Queer History Tour with the Rochester Rainbow Riders (Three Heads Brewing, 186 Atlantic Ave)

This ride is open to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. Join us for a queer history tour of Rochester! Ride along as we visit a series of queer landmarks! We’ll stop at each one for a brief discussion of its impact on Rochester’s queer history. It’s 13 miles of mostly road riding. There are a couple of hills, particularly coming up South Ave and on the U of R campus. Here’s the route:

https://tinyurl.com/3t4vtewa Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FXroXgQg7/ Strava event: https://strava.app.link/vZLD0xKXG1b Contact: rochesterrainbowriders@queermail.net