May - June 2007

Friends,

Spring has finally arrived and I’m thrilled to see so many more people riding their bikes around the city, now that the frost has dissapeared, the flowers are in bloom, and the city is alive with the excitement and anticipation of what will be a great cycling season. New and old members alike have come out for our early Montauk Century Training Rides, so I know that our club’s big event in late May will turn out wonderfully.

Bike Rides are Not Parades!

As you may have heard, the 5BBC has been busy this year. As it happens, the club has joined a legal action against the New York Police Department, in order to rescind the despicable “parade rule” that was unveiled late last year and made effective in February. Those rules, aimed at the monthly Critical Mass rides, classifies any group of 50 vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists as a “parade” and requires a permit to be issued by the NYPD. For many reasons, not least of which is freedom of speech and association, we expect to get the rules overturned in Federal court. Until the rules are overturned, the club has adopted measures to insure that our day rides are lawful and do not create problems with the police. Stay tuned for more about the parade rule and check www.5bbc.org/parade for updates.

Bike Month

Once again, the Five Borough Bicycle Club is joining in Bike Month, organized by Transportation Alternatives. We list some of our May rides on the calendar, which has grown to over 150 events. This helps bring new faces to our club events, but also helps our members learn about other, worthwhile cycling and environmental organizations. Look for the Bike Month printed calendars at bike shops and at the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, and visit the online version at www.bikemonthnyc.org

New Ride Programs this Summer

I’m working hard to bring more new and interesting rides into the club’s calendar and portfolio, because our members deserve the best. It’s not enough to repeat the same dull rides, but to try and innovate and improve. Look for some of the newer rides listed in this newsletter, and also in the July/August Bicycletter. We will have more rides that will focus on greenways and green spaces as well as historical and architectural trips. You will also see more longer distance rides around the metropolitan and surrounding areas. Got a question or suggestion? Drop me a line at daytrips@5bbc.org.

Danny Lieberman
5BBC Day Trips Coordinator