National Bike Month in Rochester, 2015

May is National Bike Month! Hop on your bike, enjoy the smell of fresh air and lilacs, and experience the freedom of exploring our community on two wheels. Help launch the 2015 summer biking season by participating in one of the many great rides or events planned all month long.

Biking in Rochester: General Information

Click here to find an interactive map of bicycle facilitiesin Rochester. 

Learn more about the city’s many efforts to become more bike-friendly here: www.cityofrochester.gov/bikerochester 

Click here for an online version of the Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Map, updated in 2014.

National Bike Month in Rochester, 2015: Rides and Events

Friday, May 1

·         First Friday Reception for Ride It: Art and Bicycles in Rochester (6-10pm)

• At the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), 137 East Ave
• A diverse exploration of bicycle culture, history, advocacy and creativity in the Rochester Region
•  Includes photography, graphic artworks, paintings, historical displays, and short films
• For more info see http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/ride_it.htmlhttp://www.rochestercontemporary.org/ride_it.html

Saturday, May 2

Shifting Clinic (3-4pm) 

•  Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
•   If you’ve ever felt that your bicycle has a mind of its own when it comes to shifting, this clinic will teach you how to make every shift with precision and finesse. Come ready to learn about soft pedaling, chain ring engagement, chain alignment, and more! 
• Contact: http://fullmoonvista.com/customer-clinics/#shift or 546-4030 

Sunday, May 3

·         Bicycle Tour of Public Art (1-3pm)

•  Departs from the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), 137 East Ave, at 1pm
• Guided group ride 
•  Explore the city and see public art from a new perspective 
•   For more info see http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/ride_it.html 

Wednesday, May 7 

National Bike to School Day (all day)

• Several local schools have activities planned
•  Find/register participating schools at http://walkbiketoschool.org/ 
•  Or ask your child’s school if any events are planned

·         Drivetrain Maintenance Clinic (6:30-7:30pm)

• Free clinic at Tryon Bike, 80 Rockwood Pl
• Learn how to maintain your bike’s drivetrain
• For more info see http://www.tryonbike.com/about/events-calendar or call 413-4444

Thursday, May 7

·         Kick-Off Event: 9am

• Reading of our Bike Week 2015 proclamation

• Meet at R Community Bikes,  226 Hudson Ave, at 9am
• Bring your bike to celebrate Bike Month 2015
• Contact: 311  

Saturday, May 9

Flat Tire Clinic (3-4pm) 

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• Learn everything you need to know about changing a flat tire and all the secrets – flat-resistant tires, quick release operation, v-brake, caliper release and disc brake operation, tools needed and appropriate tire pressure.
• Contact: http://fullmoonvista.com/customer-clinics/#flat or 546-4030 

Sunday, May 10

·         Radical Roots History Ride (2-4pm) – a sociopolitical cyclo-tour of local historic points

• Meet at Susan B Anthony Square at 2pm.
• Flat ~10 mile route on city streets with stops for discussion
• The tour will cover sites in and near Downtown Rochester that have been significant in US and local social movements and general history: feminism, abolitionism, labor, ecology, transportation, communication and economic development.
•   Led by Jack Bradigan Spula, a four-season bicyclist, Highland Park Neighborhood resident, social activist, writer, musician and Rochesterian for nearly 50 years. 
•   Contact: Jack Spula, jbspula@gmail.com

Monday, May 11

Friends of MS Rochester Bike Week Genesee Valley Park Ride (6-8pm)

• Meet at Genesee Valley park west side at pool parking lot, 6pm
• Bring a helmet and hydration.
• Ride leader Carolyn Argust. For questions or to RSVP call 585-288-1687
• Bring a helmet and hydration.
• For more information, see www.BikeMSUpstate.org

Tuesday, May 12

The RochesterBicycle Film Festival presents Breaking Away (7-9pm) 

• A true classic of bike cinema! 
• Four friends face opposition from all corners as they dream of competitive cycling and one enters the local university's annual bicycle endurance race. (94% Rotten Tomatoes)
• Screening at The Cinema Theater (957 S. Clinton Ave), doors open at 6:30pm
• Tickets cost $7 advance , $8 at the door
•  Get a dollar off if you ride your bike to the screening and show your helmet.

Wednesday, May 13

The RochesterBicycle Film Festival presents The Triplets of Bellville (7-9pm) 

• An idie animated cult classic!
• When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters – an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire – to rescue him.  (94% Rotten Tomatoes)
• Screening at The Little Theater (240 East Ave #100), doors open at 6:30pm
• Tickets cost $7 advance (purchase here), $8 at the door
• Get a dollar off if you ride your bike to the screening and show your helmet.

Friday, May 15

Bike to Work Day (all day) 

• Great day for you and your co-workers to bike to work – arrive at work energized and refreshed!
• Use the city’s interactive bicycle facilities map  a google map of Greater Rochester Bicycle Rideability Ratings or the Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Mapto plan your route.
• Sheltered bike racks are located in downtown parking garages (Court Street, Sister Cities, High Falls, South Avenue)
• Bike posts and racks located throughout the city – search for locations on this crowdsourced map 

The 15th Annual Ride for Missing Children (8am-6pm)

• 100 mile bike ride, ride as a group, 14-15 mph pace
• Departs from 435 West Commercial St, East Rochester (Unity Health System Total Sports Experience)
• Registration begins at 6:45am, riders depart at 8am
• Riders stop at 5-6 schools for rest, refreshments, and educational programs
• Riders return by  5:45pm, Closing Ceremony/Dinner at 6pm
• $300 minimum pledge to ride, benefits the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children/New York
• For more information, see: http://www.active.com/east-rochester-ny/cycling/races/ride-for-missing-children-rochester-2015

·         Light UP the Night Ride (8-10pm) – an illuminating post-sunset ride

• o   Meet at 8pm at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex (131 Elmwood Ave) in Genesee Valley Park

• Riders decorate themselves and their bicycles with as many lights as they can
• ~ 8 mile route[gmap-pedometer.com] on trails and city streets
• Riders “light up” the trails and streets as they journey up the Genesee River to the City Center, loop back into the South Wedge and over through Corn Hill Landing before returning to Genesee Valley Park. 

• Bike Lights and Helmets required to participate.
•   Ride led by Scott MacCrae, but for more info,  contact Fran Scira at fran-scira@urmc.rochester.edy or 698-8503

Saturday, May 16

Field Repair Clinic (3-4pm)

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• This clinic won’t make you a master mechanic, but it will arm you with the knowledge to diagnose minor problems and get you back on your bike. The clinic will be mostly classroom style but you’ll have opportunities for hands-on experience too.
• Contact: http://fullmoonvista.com/customer-clinics/#field  or 546-4030 

Sunday, May 17

5^th Annual Seersucker Social Ride and Cargo Bike Rally (10am-2pm)

• Meet at Abundance Cooperative Market (62 Marshall St) at 10am, ride departs at 11am, followed by potluck picnic and prizes
• Dress in stylish seersucker, linen, or cool summer fabrics to ride your bike in style – prizes awarded for Best Bike, Most Radiant and Most Dashing
• 12-mile ride to tour gardens and scenic neighborhoods
• Bring a blanket, picnic lunch, or bake a lasagna and potluck with friends on the lawn of Wadsworth Square. Abundance also has a small section of prepared food to supplement your picnic.
• Please reply if you can bring a dart, bocce or croquet set, and we'll have lawn games.
• New this year – Ride your tandem, a cargo bike, XtraCycle, or Surly, if you have one, for a cargo bike rally!
• For more info, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1636094029961473/

Wednesday, May 20

·         Rochester’s 5^th Annual Ride of Silence (6:30-7:30pm)

• Meet at the Penfield Highway Department parking lot on Jackson Rd at 6:15pm
• A flat 10mile route departs at 7pm
• Slow ride so dress please warm, helmet required
• Everyone – all abilities and cyclists are welcome. Racers, tourists, commuters, families, spouses, neighbors will share the road. Group rides in silence to honor people that have been injured or died while cycling.
• RSVP is requested.
• For more info, see: https://rbc.wildapricot.org/RoS
• Contact: Andy Stewart,  onetenth@earthlink.net  

·         Flat Tire Repair & Intro to Tubeless Clinic (6:30-7:30pm)

• Free clinic at Tryon Bike, 80 Rockwood Pl
• Learn how to repair a flat tire
• For more info see http://www.tryonbike.com/about/events-calendar or call 413-4444

Saturday, May 23

Preventive Maintenance Clinic (3-4pm)

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• A little regular maintenance can take your bike a long, long way.  This clinic will cover things you can do to maintain your bike, which parts of the bike will experience normal wear and tear, and what the life expectancies of these parts might be.
• Contact: http://fullmoonvista.com/customer-clinics/#preventor 546-4030 

Wednesday, May 27

Bike to the public market for the May Food Truck Rodeo (5-9pm)

• Enjoy the best possible parking, close to food trucks and live music.
• Table with free information and resources about bicycling in Rochester and upcoming events
• Show your helmet at the table to receive free giveaways (re-usable market bags) and be entered in a raffle for special prizes
• Extra bike parking will be provided. Bike racks are also located outside the market office, near Zimmermans, and next to the Railroad Street parking lot, near the Railroad Street arch/gate. For more info on biking to the market, see: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589946435
• For more information, see http://www.cityofrochester.gov/foodtruckrodeo/

Saturday, May 30

Spokes & Ink Bike and Poster Fest (12-6pm)

• A festival celebrating bike lovers and bike-inspired poster art

• Crank up for summer fun – a mashup of cycling enthusiasts, local artists, cold beer, live music, unique vendors, and stuff for the kids
• At the Genesee Center for the Arts, 713 Monroe Ave
• For more info, see: http://www.geneseearts.org/spokesandink/

Shifting Clinic (3-4pm) 

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• Everything you ever wanted to know about shifting – learn about soft pedaling, chain ring engagement, chain alignment, and more!
• Contact: www.fullmoonvista.com/clinics.html#shift or 546-4030 

Ride of Silence status

The Ride of Silence is ON for tonight, 21 May.  The organizer will make a decision to cancel if rider safety is at risk. This possible choice will be made after 6:30 and take into account the latest weather reports and radar images. The ride will go on if there's only rain falling (and no high wind gusts).

At this moment the weather report looks to be possibly wet but the chance of rain will be diminishing through the late afternoon and evening.  So, be prepared for the weather!

There will be updates here up to  6:30 if any changes are made.

2014 Bike Week Information and Schedule

READY TO ROLL: 
Rochester Bike Week 2014!

May is National Bike Month! Hop on your bike, enjoy the smell of fresh air and lilacs, and experience the freedom of exploring our community on two wheels. The City of Rochester will help to launch the 2014 summer biking season with Rochester Bike Week, May 10-18.

Biking in Rochester: General Information

Click hereto find an interactive map of bicycle facilities in Rochester. 

Learn more about the city’s many efforts to become more bike-friendly here: www.cityofrochester.gov/rocthebike 

Learn more about several exciting projects currently underway to make biking in Rochester even better as we pedal forward:

·         Rochester Bicycle Boulevards Plan www.cityofrochester.gov/bikeblvd/

·         Rochester Area Bike Share Feasibility Study www.rocbikeshare.org

o   NOTE: Public Input Meeting on Mon, May 19 (5:30-7:30pm) Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central  Library (see details under Rides and Events below)

·         2014 Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Map published by the GTC will be available soon! Please check the GTC website at: http://www.gtcmpo.org for the latest status, or contact Bob Torzynski at rtorzynski@gtcmpo.org for further information and/or printed copies of the map.

Rochester Bike Week 2014: Rides and Events

Please join us for one of the rides, classes, or events below. There’s something for every age and any comfort level to explore different parts of our city. We hope you’ll join us!

Wednesday, May 7

·         Kick-Off Event: 11:30 a.m.  

o   Reading of our Bike Week 2014 proclamation

o   Ribbon Cutting at Yellow Haus Bicycles, Rochester's fifth and newest independent bike shop 

Tire change clinics offered at Yellow Haus Bicycles every Wed-Sat at 11am (except on 5/7)

o   Meet at Yellow Haus Bicycles, 987 Monroe Avenue

o   Bring your bike to celebrate Bike Week 2014

o   Contact: 311  

Saturday May 10

     Ride your Bike to the Public Market (8am-1pm) – Enjoy the best possible market parking AND qualify for free giveaways and prizes!

• 8am-1pm, table with information about bike week activities, bicycling in Rochester, summer recreation events, and more
• Everyone who bikes gets a free reusable public market bag
• Everyone who bikes gets a raffle ticket for special prizes (bike panniers, public market cookbook, public market history book)
• First 20 to arrive by bike get a free $5 market token 
• Show your helmet at the Bike Week Table near the covered bike parking to qualify for the giveaways above
• Bike racks are located outside the market office, near Zimmermans, and next to the Railroad Street parking lot, near the Railroad Street arch/gate. For more info on biking to the market, see: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589946435
• Contact: Elizabeth Murphy, elizabethmurphy@flhsa.org  

·         Ride in the Lilac Festival Parade (9:30am-noon) – enjoy the best seat in the Lilac Parade

o   Meet no later than 10am in the parade lineup on Science Parkway (off South Ave)

Look for the “Bike MS Bicycle Lifestyle” section of the line-up

Parade begins at 10:30am

o   Dress up in festive colors!

o   Decorate your bike with flowers!

o   Contact: Scott Wagner, scott.wagner.ny@gmail.com

·         Bike Cash Mob at the Lilac Festival (~noon-1pm) – a demonstration of purchasing power on two wheels

o   Meet directly after the Lilac Festival Parade ends (~noon) near the Highland Park Pansy Bed

o   Proceed to the Cornell Cooperative Extension building (249 Highland Ave) for lunch and socializing

o   Join Rochester’s bike community to support local vendors and make bikes/biking visible at the Lilac Festival

o   Contact: Glenn Cerosaletti, glenn.cerosaletti@rochester.edu

     Flat Tire Clinic (3-4pm) 

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• Learn everything you need to know about changing a flat tire and all the secrets – flat-resistant tires, quick release operation, v-brake, caliper release and disc brake operation, tools needed and appropriate tire pressure.
• Contact: www.fullmoonvista.com/clinics.html#flat or 546-4030 

Sunday, May 11

·         Family Bike Ride/ROC “Kidical Mass” along the Genesee River Trail (3-5pm) – a safe fun, youth-led ride from Charlotte Beach to Turning Point Park and back

o   Meet in the Charlotte Beach parking lot (North River St. parking lot near Pier 45) at 3pm

o   All ages and bike comfort levels welcome!

o   ~5 mile ride on a separated trail, one short hill

o   Enjoy a frozen custard or walk out the pier afterwards

o   Led by youth from the Genesee Community Charter School (GCCS).

o   ROC Kidical Mass started in 2013 as a student-led project by GCCS sixth graders to support Rochester’s bicycle culture.

o   Roc Kidical Mass is a bike ride geared towards families to help promote youth bicycle ridership in our community.  Come join us for a great ride along a great river!

o   Contact: Christopher Dolgos, cdolgos@gccs.org

Monday, May 12

No formal event planned.  We invite you to take a ride on your bike, and invite your family and friends! Pay a visit to your favorite park or trail, or set out to explore a new place or part of town that you’re curious to learn about.  You can use the city’s interactive bicycle facilities map and a google map of Greater Rochester Bicycle Rideability Ratings to plan your route.

Tuesday, May 13

Bicycle Film Festival (7-10pm) 

o   The Cinema Theater (957 S Clinton Ave), doors open at 6:30pm

o   Tickets cost $8 – Available online or at the door (if the event does not sell out online)

o   This year's feature film is Douglas MacKinnon's  The Flying Scotsman. A selection of bicycle-related short films will accompany the feature.

o   Event bike racks will be located outside the theater.  Ride your bicycle to the event and show your helmet at the door to receive a $1 rebate on admission.

o   Proceeds will benefit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy 

·         Right Ride Adult Safety Program (6-8pm) – FIRST of two classes

o   Held in Genesee Valley Park (meet outside the Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Ave)

o   Build your comfort and confidence to bike in the street !

o   Geared for adults 18+ interested in learning the fundamentals of safe road cycling

o   Preregistration, including a $10.00 registration fee, is required.  Scholarships are available.

To register visit the City of Rochester’s Bureau of Recreation and Youth Services (400 Dewey Ave) or call 428-6770. 

o   Participants that complete the entire training course will receive a voucher for a free bike at R Community Bikes (some restrictions apply).  

o   Contact: 428-6770

Wed, May 14

·         Bicycle Commuting Workshop at Strong Hospital (noon-1pm)

o   Held in 1-9576 Ryan Case Method Room (2nd floor adjacent to the Flaum Atrium)  

Park in Lot L, off Elmwood, west side of Medical Center Campus

o   The workshop will cover fundamentals and advanced tips for bike commuting and safe biking, including equipment, safe riding techniques, and post ride cleanup.

o   Open discussion on how to improve biking facilities and an update on new trails, bike lanes, and bike share will also be reviewed. 

o   Contact: Brittany Fuino 276-4197

·         R Community Bikes’ Celebration and Bridges to Wellness Community Bike Ride (5-8pm) – a ribbon    cutting and neighborhood bike ride

o   Ribbon cutting at 5:30pm, ride begins at 6pm

o   Help dedicate a new mural and Little Free Library at R Community Bikes, experience a community ride with stops at local gardens, murals, and points of pride in the Bridges to Wellness neighborhood, then enjoy snacks and socializing.

o   Flat ~4-6 mile ride with stops on city streets

o   If you don’t have a bike, R Community Bikes can lend you one for the ride

o   Contact: Jesse Knoth, Jknoth@jordanhealth.org or Dan Lill, danlill126@gmail.com

Thursday, May 15

·         Right Ride Adult Safety Program (6-8pm) – SECOND of two classes

o   Held in Genesee Valley Park (meet outside the Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Ave)

o   Build your comfort and confidence to bike in the street

o   Geared for adults 18+ interested in learning the fundamentals of safe road cycling

o   Preregistration, including a $10.00 registration fee, is required.  Scholarships are available.

To register visit the City of Rochester’s Bureau of Recreation and Youth Services (400 Dewey Ave) or call 428-6770. 

o   Participants that complete the entire training course will receive a voucher for a free bike at R Community Bikes (some restrictions apply).  

o   Contact: 428-6770

Friday, May 16

     Bike to Work Day (All Day)  

• Great day for you and your co-workers to bike to work – arrive at work energized and refreshed!
• Use the city’s interactive bicycle facilities map or a google map of Greater Rochester Bicycle Rideability Ratings to plan your route.
• Sheltered bike racks are located in downtown parking garages (Court Street, Sister Cities, High Falls, South Avenue)
• Bike posts and racks located throughout the city – search for locations on this crowdsourced map
• Event bike racks will be located at City Hall (30 Church St) and the Public Safety Building (185 Exchange Blvd)
• The following employers are hosting Bike to Work Day activities – contact your employer to see if they would like to participate as well:
• City of Rochester
• Center for Community Health
• Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
• Monroe County

(If your employer would like to host a Bike to Work activity, please notify elizabethmurphy@flhsa.org so we can include you on this list and share resources)

    The 14th Annual Ride for Missing Children (8-6pm)

• 100 mile bike ride, ride as a group, 14-15 mph pace
• Departs from 435 West Commercial St, East Rochester (Unity Health System Total Sports Experience)
• Registration begins at 6:45am, riders depart at 8am
• Riders stop at 5-6 schools for rest, refreshments, and educational programs
• Riders return by  5:45pm, Closing Ceremony/Dinner at 6pm
• $300 minimum pledge to ride, benefits the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children/New York
• For more information, see: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/385877/7b9bed6881/1452500525/573c62477c/
• "We ride to raise awareness for the injustices that are committed against our children. We ride as a community and as a family to make a difference. We ride to enjoy the camaraderie of friends new and old. We ride no matter how hot, how cold, how rainy, snowy, hilly or flat - we ride together as a family…”

·         Light UP the Night Ride (8-10pm) – an illuminating post-sunset ride

o   Meet at 8pm at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex (131 Elmwood Ave) in Genesee Valley Park

• Riders decorate themselves and their bicycles with as many lights as they can
• ~ 8 mile route[gmap-pedometer.com] on trails and city streets
• Riders “light up” the trails and streets as they journey up the Genesee River to the City Center, loop back into the South Wedge and over through Corn Hill Landing before returning to Genesee Valley Park.  

o Bike Lights and Helmets required to participate.

o   Contact: Callie Appleby, 341 7804 (work), 797 8510 (cell), or Caroline_appleby@urmc.rochester.edu

Saturday, May 17

·         Radical Roots History Ride (2-4pm) – a sociopolitical cyclo-tour of local historic points

o   Meet at Susan B Anthony Square at 2pm.

o   Flat ~10 mile route on city streets with stops for discussion

o   The tour will cover sites in and near Downtown Rochester that have been significant in US and local social movements and general history: feminism, abolitionism, labor, ecology, transportation, communication and economic development.

o   Led by Jack Bradigan Spula, a four-season bicyclist, Highland Park Neighborhood resident, social activist, writer, musician and Rochesterian for nearly 50 years. 

o   Contact: Jack Spula, jbspula@gmail.com

Shifting Clinic (3-4pm) 

• Free clinic at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport (661 South Ave)
• Everything you ever wanted to know about shifting – learn about soft pedalling, chainring engagement, chain alignment, and more!
• Contact: www.fullmoonvista.com/clinics.html#shift or 546-4030 

Sunday, May 18

·       

·         4th Annual Rochester Seersucker Social Ride (10:30am-1pm)

o   Ride starts and ends at the Genesee Valley Park, Roundhouse Pavilion area

o   Meet Up ~10:30am, ride begins ~11am and does til ~1pm

o   Ride is about 10 miles long at a slow pace.

o   Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the sun after the ride! 

o   Dress up in anything from the turn of the century to the 40's – think Summer Garden Party Fabulous!  (check here for inspiration)

o   Contact: Amy, amylroll@yahoo.com

Bike Repair Skillswap at the Little Flower Community (1-4pm)

o   Meet at the Little Flower Community House (458 Parsells Ave, near Culver)

o   Have an old bike you've been meaning to get back on the road? Just looking to do some general maintenance, but wouldn't mind a few pointers? Want to learn from others in a friendly non-intimidating environment? Our Bike Repair Skillshare is just for you!

o   Volunteers from R Community Bikes will be on hand with tools and parts to help answer your questions.

o   Contact: Joe at 204-6532 or LittleFlowerROC@gmail.com

Mon, May 19

·         PUBLIC INPUT MEETING for the Rochester Bike Share Feasibility Study (5:30-7:30pm)

o   Location: Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Rochester Downtown Library (115 South Ave)

o   Feasibility study being undertaken by: Genesee Transportation Council (GTC)

o   Purpose of public meeting: present an overview of the Rochester Bikeshare Feasibility Study and solicit public input

o   For more info see: http://rocbikeshare.org/  or

o   Contact: Bob Torzynski, GTC Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Manager: rtorzynski@gtcmpo.org

Wed, May 21

·         Rochester’s 4^th Annual Ride of Silence (6:30-7:30pm)

• Meet at the Penfield Highway Department parking lot on Jackson Rd at 6:15pm
• A 9 mile loop ridden in group silence to honor people that have been injured or died while cycling.
• Wearing a helmet is required.
• Everyone – all skill levels – welcome.
• RSVP is requested.

oFor more info, see: https://rbc.wildapricot.org/Events?eventId=889730&EventViewMode=EventDetails

o   Contact: Andy Stewart,  onetenth@earthlink.net