Time’s Up has an awesome printed calendar of all their great Bike Month and beyond events.
Pick it up now at your favorite bike friendly retail spot.
Here is the bulk of it. (More details of each event after the list)
1. FIRST FRIDAY RIDE
Friday, May 3, 7:00pm (First Friday of Every Month!)
Union Square North
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2. CENTRAL PARK MOONLIGHT RIDE
Friday, May 3, 10pm (First Friday of Every Month!)
Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park, at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park South 59th Street, and Central Park West)
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3. HOOLA HOOP THE POPS
Saturday, May 4, 11:00am
Time’s Up! 156 Rivington Street
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4. GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY
Sunday, May 5, 2:00pm
99 S 5th St, Brooklyn
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5. TIMES UP! RADIO HOUR
Tuesday, May 7, 8pm-9pm (Every Tuesday Night!)
RadioHive.Org
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6. MOVIE NIGHT – THE GARDEN
Thursday May 9, 8:30pm
Brooklyn Time’s Up Space, 99 S 6th St, Brooklyn
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7. BROOKLYN CRITICAL MASS
Friday, May 10, 7:00pm (Second Friday of Every Month)
Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park and Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge
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8. URBAN SONIC SPACE RIDE
Saturday, May 11, 8:00pm
Tompkins Square Park Gaia Tree
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9. PROSPECT PARK MOONLIGHT RIDE
Saturday, May 11, 9:00pm (Second Saturday of Every Month!)
Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn (Northern entrance of Prospect Park where Flatbush Ave. and Eastern Parkway Intersect.)
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10. GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY
Sunday, May 12, 2:00pm
99 S 5th St, Brooklyn
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11. TIMES UP! RADIO HOUR
Tuesday, May 14, 8pm-9pm (Every Tuesday Night!)
RadioHive.Org
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12. PRINCE DANCE RIDE
Thursday, May 16, 7:00pm
Tomkins Square Park, Gaia Tree
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13. RIDE TO SPINGOWANUS
Saturday, May 18, 7:00pm
Brooklyn Time’s Up! Space 99 S 6th St
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14. GARDEN CLEAN-UP DAY
Sunday, May 19, 2:00pm
99 S 5th St, Brooklyn
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15. SPECIAL PEACE RIDE TO STATEN ISLAND
Sunday, May 19, 11:30am (Third Sunday of Every Month!)
Meet up at Manhattan’s Staten Island Ferry Terminal for departure on 12:00pm Ferry
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16. CO-OP TO CO-OP RIDE
Sunday, May 19, 4:00pm
4th St Food Co-Op (Co-hosted by 4th St Food Co-Op)
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17. TIMES UP! RADIO HOUR
Tuesday, May 21, 8pm-9pm (Every Tuesday Night!)
RadioHive.Org
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18. CARGO BIKE RIDE
Saturday, May 25, 3:00pm
Grand Army Plaza (Co-hosted by Cargo bike Collective)
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19. RIVERSIDE RIDE
Saturday, May 25, 10pm (Last Saturday of Every Month!)
Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park, at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park South 59th Street, and Central Park West)
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20. BENEFICIAL BALL SLINGING RIDE
Sunday, May 26, 1:30pm
Tompkins Square Park (Co-hosted by MoS Collective)
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A great way to explore your neighborhood and the vast network of public libraries which are an amazing free resource for all.
Join Brooklyn Public Library on Saturday, May 11 for the Bike The Branches—a fun and adventurous one-day bike ride to benefit the Brooklyn Public Library. Experience Brooklyn and BPL like never before, while connecting with family and fellow Brooklynites as you ride to and through our network of 60 neighborhood libraries. Get your passport stamped at each branch—or as many as you can—to be entered into a drawing to win fun prizes. The first 100 people that register will be entered into a special drawing. Ask your friends and family to sponsor you as your ride for BPL!
Take a tour of Brooklyn’s literary history, culinary highlights or architectural gems on one of our suggested routes, or create your own path to explore the borough and the neighborhood libraries that serve each community. Throughout the day, stop in at select neighborhood libraries to recharge and enjoy entertainment and fun activities
The best part about Bike the Branches is that it’s not a race, it’s a ride created by you , so you can ride as an individual, with a group of friends, or with your school group — and you can bike at your own pace – walking, skateboarding and scooting welcome. Please visit our website at www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/bikethebranches to learn more and register.
Bike the Branches is a part of our annual Support the Branches spring campaign (formerly known as Support our Shelves). All proceeds from Support the Branches and Bike the Branches help Brooklyn Public Library bring vital services, resources and programs to every neighborhood in Brooklyn.
5th Annual Brooklyn Bike Jumble
NYC’s only Bicycle Flea Market
Saturday May 11, 2013
10AM to 4PM
Old Stone House
5th Ave and 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY
The park will be filled with vendors selling used bikes as well as new and used bike accessories. The perfect place to find a summer ride or to stock up on the parts that you need to complete your ride!
A whole day devoted to bikes in beautiful Park Slope Brooklyn, a perfect FREE weekend outing (if you can resist the bargains)!
WHERE: The Old Stone House at Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (bet. 4th and 5th Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11215.
By Subway: Take the F or the R to Fourth Avenue, or the R to Union Street. By Bus: Take the B63 Bus to Third Street and Fifth Avenue. Or ride your bike!
WHEN:Saturday May 11th, 10 AM to 4PM, RAIN OR SHINE
According to their website: ( bikingpublicprojet.tumblr.com )“The Biking Public Project aims to expand local cycling advocacy discussions by reaching
out to underrepresented bicyclists around New York City including women, people of color, and delivery cyclists.
This is actually the group that was formerly P.O.W. (People On Wheels) which transformed into this initiative from the 2nd annual Youth Bike Summit.
Now the event:
As spring is finally kicking into gear it’s high time to get ready for summer!
Join the Biking Public Project in Elmhurst, Queens to find out what we’re all about,
share your ideas, and learn about our planned summer outreach in
Jackson Heights, Queens.
FREE EVENT. Cash Bar. Snacks!
Wed, May 8
6-9pm Happy Hour, 9:30 pm Jazz
Terraza 7
40-19 Gleane St. Elmhurst, NY
7 train to 82nd Street – Jackson Heights
Map
The event is free and Happy Hour is extended until 9pm when the band starts.
Terraza has live music almost every evening and it’s always worth listening
to so feel free to stick around for the show at 9pm!
When I think of the acronym PAC or Political Action Commitee, I think of guys like this:
Sheldon Adelson, billionaire casino magnet who was one of the largest campaign funders to a super PAC for Mitt Romney’s loosing campaign. Ah, money can’t buy everything.
Then I think of this great political folly by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
Often I find myself in political discussion about the cycling landscape in NYC and desperately trying to defend myself against rants of an enraged motorist who feels all of the cities traffic problems are somehow the fault of too many cyclists with too much infrastructure that they don’t even bother to use. Some where in the malaise of debate or more like argument, I begin to drift off in thought and wonder, Gee, wouldn’t it be great if we had some kind of political muscle that could advocate for cyclists rights to the road and even influence political candidates. Perhaps even creating a bicycle party that could strictly fight for cyclist and pedestrians rights and safer, more livable streets.
StreetsPAC is a political action committee dedicated to improving the safety, mobility and livability of one of New York City’s greatest assets: its streets. The space between buildings, including sidewalks, roads and plazas, account for the majority of all public space in the five boroughs, and are a precious resource to be used and enjoyed by all.
Founded by a team of the city’s most committed advocates, StreetsPAC supports candidates who demonstrate unwavering devotion to the expansion of traffic-calming infrastructure such as neighborhood slow zones, pedestrian plazas, and bike lanes; increased and improved transit access for all New Yorkers; more thorough crash investigations; and better enforcement of traffic laws.
StreetsPAC is registered with the New York State Board of Elections and the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Just recently launched, StreetsPAC may not be a huge financial influence, but will hopefully be powerful as a voting block of concerned NYC citizens who want safer streets and a more livable city, as well as holding local politician accountable when their demands are not met. According to streetsblog, their first goal is: “focusing on the City Council, especially those districts where grassroots support for livable streets is not reflected in the positions of elected officials. This year, there will be elections for all 51 council districts, including 18 open seats.”
StreetsPAC board members are comprised of hard working citizens who have had a great deal of experience working with the city council and on their own local community boards. People like, Doug Gordon ( Brooklynspoke.com ), Hilda Cohen, Dave ‘Paco’ Abraham, Mike Epstein, Aaron Naparstek (founder of streetsblog.org ) and lawyer Steve Vaccaro.
Track Or Die NYC Presents: The Spring Formal – our own spin on “The Drag Race.” A stylish way to kick off the spring! This will be a 7-checkpoint alleycat through NYC. Criteria for the race: Fellas must put together the most raunchy & eye appealing female attire to race in – don’t be afraid to show some skin. Ladies must draw/wear a mustache or beard and dress accordingly – i. e. not just a t-shirt. Cash prize & swag for the winner. Special prize for the best outfit of the day. Registration: $5 Yes, there will be Spring Formal spokecards at the finish line.
Remember a few weeks back the New York police department wanted to change the status of the 5 boro bike tour to a non-charitable event? The rationale was basically for the police to charge Bike New York, who runs this hugely popular group ride, close to a millions dollars to effectively “do-their-job”, of closing streets and ensuring the safety of 32,000 cyclists traveling through all five boroughs. This would basically wipe out the organizations entire budget which it uses the money it raises to give back to the community with many other free rides and adult bicycle education…quite charitable actually. Manhattan judge, Margarette Chan agreed and said: ““Some issues in promoting this tour may be questions for the IRS, but I don’t think it’s a question for the police department. Bike New York does charitable work … The way they’re raising money isn’t to your liking.” The event was spared the fee and now the show will go on, sort of.
Well cut forward to a couple of senseless Chechnyan brothers on a terror rampage and now the NYPD is “all about safety” at large public gatherings. The latest is they have put in place some new restrictions on the five boro bike tour including no hydration packs, backpacks or saddle bags. Here is a recent update from Gothamist:
5 Boro Bike Tour Bans Backpacks, For Safety
By: Lauren Evans
April 26th, 2013 Photo from Bitchcakes flickr.
We’ve been wondering how the 5 Boro Bike Tour, for which 32,000 cyclists will pour onto city streets next Sunday, will handle its security in light of the Boston Marathon bombings. Today, we got our answer: No backpacks, no saddlebags and NO hydration packs, a statement from organizers Bike New York says.
We don’t even know what a hydration pack is, but suddenly, we’re just incensed that we can’t have one. (Update: It’s this thing.) Why would the cruel Bike New York overlords take away our freedom to have our thirst quenched like some sort of spandex-clad cycling warrior? Bike New York CEO Ken Podziba told us that the changes were agreed upon by various local, state and federal officials, and that they are an unfortunate necessity to ensure that the event remains safe.
“We’re not happy that we have to impose security measures, but safety is our number one priority,” he said. “I think most riders understand that. We’re not just imposing these restrictions because we feel like it.”
Fanny packs, water bottles and “small bike frame bags” will still be allowed, and Podziba said that bags smaller than 12-by-5 inches are also acceptable, even if they’re backpack shaped. Podziba also assured us that the route features frequent rest areas at which riders can fill up their water bottles. Another change from years past is that family, friends and total strangers will not be allowed to congregate at the Staten Island finish line, meaning that cyclists will be forced to awkwardly cheer for themselves.
Now I understand the NYPD heightening security in regards to the bombing at the Boston Marathon, but who exactly are they protecting? Certainly not the participants from hydrating themselves. Remember 2011, when the tour route was mismanaged and the participants were stuck on various parts of the ride? This was also the year Bike New York didn’t have enough free food and water at their rest stops. So it seems a bit ridiculous to deny the riders themselves the ability to have their own stuff. I seem to remember the Boston bombing came from spectators, so unless the NYPD is planning on banning all those along the side lines, these new restrictions seem a bit unnecessary. It should be noted that riders are allowed fanny packs and small frame mounted bags, so pack accordingly…I guess this means no small children will be on the ride cause judging from experience with a 4 1/2 year old…you need more snacks that can fit in a fanny pack. Guess the terrorists won this one.
I also think it’s worth pointing out that in other terrorist attacks or near misses, restrictions are the first thing put in place. The liquid bomber, no liquids on planes. The shoe bomber, take your shoes off at airport security. Now with the Boston Bombing, new scrutiny at active events like marathons and group rides. Yet when people die in shootings at a batman movie or elementary school kids die such as Sandy Hook, our government can’t even pass the weakest of gun reform.
Yes, it’s true, I’m super psyched about bike sharing coming to NYC. Mainly because it puts more people on bicycles and is another viable transportation option, getting my home town one step closer to those other cool cities that have bike sharing, like Paris, Barcelona, Washington, DC and of course Boston.
So I thought I’d check in on some of the other NYC bike bloggers reactions to the new Citibike share program.
Brookylnspoke.com founder Doug Gordon has been all over the scene and recently posted this video of an bike blog station being constructed in Manhattan.
Susi Wunsch of Velojoy has been posting some articles and has this nice dissection of the many features of the new “fully-loaded” bikes.
But your probably asking, ok bike nerds, you already have bikes, why would you give praise for this bike share thing? Good question…Susi answers a few of these questions in a recent post: As a Bike Owner, Here is Why I Joined CitiBike.
But the best had to be the Bike Snob, who recently broke down some of the biggest complaints of the bike sharing program that has already started to piss-off New Yorkers with just the mere sight of all the bike sharing stations. I especially enjoyed the comparison that some Brooklyn residents don’t want corporate logos defacing their precious neighborhoods, as some sort of dig against bike sharing being sponsored by Citibank, but have no problem with diaperless babies taking a crap all over the place.
First a sit-in now vandalization of property? Will these ruthless anarchists stop at nothing to further their subversive cause of stopping bike sharing?
Now it looks like local residents have defaced Citibike stations in Brooklyn.
Speak Up If You Think Bike-Share Belongs in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
By: Ben Fried
April 22nd, 2013
Remember the Fort Greene residents who complained last year that bike-share stations don’t belong in their historic, landmarked neighborhood — even though you can find cobalt-blue Volvos and banana-yellow, late-model Beemers taking up the curb on those same blocks?
Seen in Fort Greene: colorful products made by massive global corporations, stored by private owners on the public right of way.
Well, they apparently haven’t been convinced that public bikes belong on the street as much as private cars. Someone even felt entitled enough to deface Citi Bike stations with bike-share-hating flyers. Another small fraction of curb space could become useful to the car-free majority of residents — perish the thought!
The anti-bike-share crowd has been lobbying Council Member Tish James to remove stations in the neighborhood, and James is holding a public forum about bike-share on Wednesday evening. Whether you plan to use bike-share yourself or you just want to see the system succeed, if you live in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill this is an important one to turn out for. Otherwise, this is the message that’s going to come through the loudest:
