PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Grab your helmet, tune up your bike and get ready to soak in the sights because the city is gearing up for its second annual Philly Bike Ride.
In partnership with American Bike Ride and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the event pedals into action Saturday, Oct. 14 to offer cyclists the opportunity to cruise through Philly neighborhoods, famous sites, and scenic skyline views all in a closed-road, non-competitive bike ride.
Danielle Ruiz is the events and partnerships manager for Philly Bike Ride. She says the journey begins by Eakins Oval on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, goes through Center City, and loops back out of Center City to Kelly Drive.
The course is about 20 miles, but there’s a shorter 7 ½ mile route for those who don’t want to peddle as much. Ruiz adds riders can go at their own pace and there are stops along the way.
“It's not a race, it is a ride, which I know can be intimidating for some folks if they think they have to go a certain speed or try to compete with other people," Ruiz explained. "It is just a leisurely, exciting, you know, fun afternoon out on a bike.”
Ruiz says there's a lot of stereotypes involved with who rides bikes, and who has access, which is why their goal is to “really expand who can call themselves ‘bike riders,’ who has access to bikes, who feels comfortable biking, not only just as a means of transportation, but just as a way of exercise.”
And no worries if you don’t have a bike, you can rent one from them here.
Last year’s event drew more than 3,000 riders. They are expecting to double that number this year.