Mass Transit is the Fastest and Easiest Way to the Bike Tour
Bicycle Restrictions Will Be Suspended on the LIRR & Metro-North
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Will Close to Staten Island-Bound Traffic on the Lower Level
Drivers Should Expect Delays and Add Extra Travel Time
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is encouraging New Yorkers to take public transportation on Sunday, May 4, as more than 32,000 cyclists from the tri-state and beyond participate in the Five Boro Bike Tour.
There will be no limits on the number of bikes allowed on Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road to accommodate cyclists.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels will temporarily close portions of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to vehicle traffic.
Drivers should expect delays and add additional travel time.
Getting to the Five Boro Bike Tour:
New York City Transit
Subway
To take your bike onto the subway, tap your OMNY card, smart device or credit card while the station agent watches, rotate the turnstile, and then enter through the station service gates once they are activated by the agent.
For safety’s sake, please carry bikes up and down station stairs, and walk your bike when travelling through the station.
At the start or finish of the tour, customers with bicycles who wish to use the subway should use the following subway stations: Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall , Bowling Green (northbound), Chambers St Chambers St , Cortlandt St , South Ferry
Riders are asked to not use the following stations as they are not well-equipped to handle large volumes of bicycles: Rector St , Fulton St , Wall St , Park Place , Bowling Green (southbound), Wall St , Rector St , Whitehall St
Be sure to use the MTA App to ensure you have the most up-to-date service information for your trip.
Buses
Bus routes will operate with detours and diversion because of street closures in all five boroughs. Please check the MTA App for the latest service information.
LIRR and Metro-North
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North will offer plenty of service to get you to the start of the tour in time, and many stations offer free and unrestricted parking on Sundays.
Both railroads will allow bicyclists to board trains and bicycle restrictions will be suspended.
Both railroads recommend that cyclists use a bungee cord to secure their bike while riding on the train.
To find free and unrestricted parking at your station of origin, make sure to read signs carefully at the station.
Tour participants should plan to arrive in time to ride their bike or take the subway to Battery Park for the start of the tour.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (VNB)
There will be no vehicle access to the Staten Island-bound lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from 12:01 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.
The upper level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will remain open to traffic in both directions throughout the event.
Other closings at the VNB include:
- One Brooklyn-bound lane on the lower level from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- The Bay St exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- The 92nd St entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- The Belt Parkway entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- The Lily Pond Av exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
To hear information about all VNB Five-Boro Bike Tour closures, call (718) 556-8010.
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (RFK)
The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge’s exit ramp to the southbound FDR Drive will be closed from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All southbound traffic must exit the RFK via the 2nd Av-East 125th St ramp.
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (HLC)
The approach from the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to the westbound Gowanus/BQE will be closed from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All traffic exiting the HLC Tunnel in Brooklyn will be diverted to Hamilton Av. during this time, and the Trinity Place exit in Manhattan will also be closed from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Motorists should expect delays and consider alternate routes. Closing times are subject to change by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and event organizers.
Customers can sign up here for email and text alerts from MTA Bridges and Tunnels.