Prediction: 74° and sunny for Brooklyn Public Library’s ‘Bike the Branches’

Free helmet giveaway, block party

May 11, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Bike the Branches 2017, a daylong bike ride through Brooklyn Public Library’s 60-branch system (and block party), is set for Saturday, May 20. Photos by Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

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Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Bike the Branches 2017 is set to roll Saturday, May 20, and BPL wants everyone to know that the weather is predicted to be just about perfect.

Bike the Branches is a daylong bike ride through BPL’s 60-branch system (www.bklynlibrary.org). More than a thousand participants will be exploring the borough’s libraries and historical landmarks, and enjoying a variety of activities along the way like story time, morning yoga and a comic book workshop. Brompton Bicycle will provide prizes for adult, child and team winners.

Riders (register here) might want to join a pre-planned Brooklyn bike tour, such as a Brooklyn Citi Bike tour, a Brownstone Brooklyn tour or a Brooklyn Waterfront tour, or they can visit as many of BPL’s 60 branches as they can for a chance to win prizes. (One year the winner cycled to an amazing 40 branches.)

What is called the “best ride in Brooklyn” also includes the “best block party in Brooklyn” at the Central Library from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring live music, Smorgasburg vendors, a Sixpoint brewery beer garden and more.

Registration starts at $20 for adults and $10 for kids, with special discounts for families and teams.

Don’t have a bike? You can take advantage of a free Citi Bike 24-hour Access Pass or rent a bike at one of these neighborhood shops near Central Library: Excelsior Bike Shop, On The Move or Ride Brooklyn.

Don’t forget the helmet: The New York Department of Transportation will host a free helmet fitting and giveaway at Central Library on May 16 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. (Helmets will be available as supplies last.)