Dear TD Five Boro Bike Tour Riders,

 

Like you, I never imagined that the 2020 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, originally scheduled for this past Sunday, could ever face cancellation due to a global health crisis. I would like to provide you an update on where we stand today, and how we plan to move forward. Despite our every effort to reschedule the Tour, we have had to face the sad reality that holding our iconic celebration of bicycling later this year would pose insurmountable logistical challenges, and present untenable health and safety risks to our riders resulting from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

 

For the past few months, we have been working tirelessly with our partners in New York City government with the hope of rescheduling the Tour in October. We tried very hard to find a viable solution, but the long-term implications of social distancing and the uncertainty around large gatherings post-COVID-19 have made it impossible for us to move forward with a 2020 event. This decision leaves us heartbroken.

 

While Bike New York produces the largest cycling event in the United States, our organization itself is a small, non-profit with a big heart and a big mission – to empower New Yorkers to transform their lives and their communities through cycling.

 

We are so grateful to you, our riders, whose participation each year brings our community together to celebrate, while also helping us fund our bigger mission. In 2019, we reached more than 33,000 people through our free bike education and safety classes, after-school programs, summer camps, and community workshops. From providing free bicycles to children in underserved communities to training formerly incarcerated New Yorkers to become bike mechanics and helping them find employment, we are dedicated to our mission. And we couldn’t have done it without your support. 

 

We also could not do the important work for the communities we serve without the support of our long-time title sponsor TD Bank, who has contributed their sponsorship fee to help our organization during this difficult time.

 

Like so many non-profits, we are going through the most challenging time in our history. In the past few weeks, we have made painful cuts to salaries and have laid off some of our small but mighty staff. Many of you have reached out to us with words of encouragement, and we cannot thank you enough for your heartfelt support, especially now.

 

Here are three options available to you regarding your 2020 TD Five Boro Bike Tour registration fee. We are also grateful to TD Bank for their support of the rider refund option noted below:

 

• Support our cause: We hope that you will continue to support the Bike New York Community by donating your registration fee to support our organization.  If we don’t hear from you, your registration fees will automatically be converted to a tax-deductible donation, and you will receive an acknowledgment at year’s end. You have our deepest gratitude.
• Defer registration: We hope that you’ll join us for a future ride, so you may use your 2020 registration fee towards a ride in one of the next three years (2021, 2022 or 2023). To do so, please click here.
• Request a Refund: We understand that these are difficult times, and if converting your registration fee to a donation or deferring to another year is not possible, please email us directly at supportingourfriends@bike.nyc before June 1, 2020 to request a 50% refund of your entry fee. You will receive an automatic email confirmation with a link to a website where you will be asked to provide your information by June 15, 2020. Once we’ve received all necessary information, you will receive your refund by the end of June via the payment method used at registration.

 

Please note, regretfully, we are unable to provide a 100% refund as registration fees also help cover the cost of pre-paid, non-refundable event expenses. If you choose this option, please follow the instructions and deadlines above. Otherwise, your registration will automatically be converted into a charitable contribution noted above.  For more detailed information, please read the FAQs.

 

In the true spirit of New York City, and with your support, we will work hard to make the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour the best in our history. We look forward to sharing more details as we progress.

 

Our best to you and your loved ones. Keep on pedaling and may you be safe and healthy.

 

Sincerely,

Ken Podziba

President/CEO, Bike New York