Brooklyn Public Library gears up for fourth annual Bike the Branches

Registration Open Now for Riders, Participants

May 3, 2016 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Grand Army Plaza is pictured during last year’s Bike the Branches event. Eagle file photo by Dipti Kumar

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Brooklyn bicyclists and bibliophiles can register now for Bike the Branches, a daylong bike ride through Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) 60-branch system, the library announced Tuesday. One of the borough’s largest biking events, to be held on May 7, is a key component of the library’s Support the Branches spring fundraising campaign, which raises urgently needed dollars for BPL’s programs and services. The event drew nearly 1,000 riders and participants last year.

“Bike the Branches is a great day to support the library by hitting the road or attending an event at your local branch,” said BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson. “Whether you’d prefer to support the library by spending a day in the saddle or simply by enjoying a good book, we hope you’ll join us on May 7.”

New this year to Bike the Branches is a series of guided rides departing from Central Library that will help riders efficiently explore BPL’s branches and the neighborhoods they serve. The library is also making it easier than ever to rent a set of wheels for Bike the Branches, with Citi Bike day passes and full-day rentals from Bike-n-Roll. And an added bonus: four branches will host Smorgasburg vendors, giving riders a chance to refuel at Greenpoint, Windsor Terrace, Bedford and Central libraries.

Riders will enjoy a fun-filled day of biking and will be issued “Branch Passports” to be stamped at each library they visit between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The adults and children who accrue the most stamps at the end of the day will receive prizes. Last year’s winners took first prize by visiting an astonishing 40 branches.

Festivities will also include book display contests, programs and activities throughout many of the borough’s 60 public libraries. The day will conclude with the Bike the Branches Block Party on Grand Army Plaza from 3 to 7 p.m., with food, refreshments and live music.

Adult participation is $20; people below the age of 16 and above the age of 65 can register for $10; and families (which can include up to two adults and two children) can sign up for $40. Teams of up to 10 people can join for $150.

Bike the Branches is made possible by sponsors and event partners Con Edison, Optimum, Williams, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Investors Bank, Zipcar, Bike New York, NYC Department of Transportation, Citi Bike, Sixpoint Brewery, Smorgasburg, Yelp, Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.