Phillyist Bicyclist: TD Bank Bike Philly

Has your bike been sitting in some desolate crawlspace, attracting mounds of dust and spiders in the spokes? Are you regularly suffering the daily indignities of being a SEPTA rider (missing buses, getting trapped underground, getting berated by angry drivers, trapped behind monster-people and monster babies, and the combined nostril burn of urine and lemon-y fresh cleanser)? Or are you really still circling around looking for that elusive parking spot?

TD Bank Bike Philly invites you to stop all that nonsense. There is an alternative. Pull that poor beleaguered bicycle out and experiment with flying through the air. And—this is the best part—do it without cars. That's right. Just hundreds of bikes riding across our fair city from the Art Museum, through Center City, back through Fairmount Park, to the Zoo and beyond for one glorious day. Maria Dziembowska, Events Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, says, "We want people to experience the freedom of bicycling in the City and to encourage them to take up bicycling as a form of recreation and transportation."

The Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition is hosting a car-free ride on September 13th to boost awareness for biking and to benefit the Police Athletic League. Riders can choose between a 10 or 20 mile ride at a novice-friendly speed, or continue on for the longer hauls on shared roads for 35 or 50 miles. The Coalition wants you to see that everyone can ride—for fun, for transportation, for healthy weight-loss aerobic goodness, for crazy awesome leg muscles, and for the environment.

If that's not enough, the finish line festivities includes a visit from the Zoo on Wheels. We believe this means that we'll be petting an alligator. You may even get a ride-by high five from the mayor (keep an eye out for an upcoming interview with Lisa Nutter next week).

How can I get in on this, you ask? You're in luck. Online registration is open for one more day and is also available (assuming the ride doesn't sell out) on the day of. This Phillyist will be out, rocking her ridiculous hot pink helmet and pretty vintage Fuji. Sign up and come say hello!

TD Bank Bike Philly
Sunday, September 13th
$15-55 (Pre-registration ends Wednesday, September 2nd)