Brooklyn Public Library Gears Up for Fourth Annual Bike the Branches

Guided Tours, Easy Bike Rentals, Grand Army Plaza Block Party Highlight Daylong Event

Registration Open Now for Riders, Participants

Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn bicyclists and bibliophiles can register now for Bike the Branches, a daylong bike ride through BPL’s 60-branch system, the Library announced today. One of the borough’s largest biking events, Bike the Branches, 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 Brooklyn Public Library President & 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: 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 am and 5 pm. 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 pm to 7 pm, with food, refreshments and live music.

Registration for Bike the Branches is open now. Adult participation is $20; young people 16-and-under and seniors 65-and-up can register for $10; and families (which can include up to 2 adults and 2 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.

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About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.