The Tour de Bronx, New York State's largest free cycling event, is gearing up for its 32nd year with a “Pedaling Through History” theme honoring America's 250th anniversary. The ride drew almost 4,000 riders and volunteers last year, and organizers are once again offering 10-mile, 25-mile and 40-mile routes that wind through some of the borough's most scenic corridors.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and event organizers held a press conference to announce this year's edition, according to newjersey.news12.com. The outlet reports that this year's theme, Pedaling Through History, ties the ride to the nation's semiquincentennial, and that the event continues to be billed as the largest free cycling event in New York State.
The event is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026. In a post shared through the Office of the Bronx Borough President, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
wrote that the 32nd Annual Tour de Bronx would take place October 5, with the theme “Pedal Through History!” A separate event listing gives October 5, 2026, as the date of the Tour de Bronx.
Three Routes, One Finish Line at the Botanical Garden
Regardless of which Sunday it lands on, the route structure itself is well established. Per the event's sign-up site, ilovethebronx.com, the Tour de Bronx includes a 10-mile family-friendly route, a 25-mile route and “the epic 40 mile route.” All three are set to start at 161st Street and Grand Concourse and finish at the New York Botanical Garden.
Registered riders are expected to pass through the South Bronx, Wakefield, Riverdale, Orchard Beach and waterfront parks along the way, the site notes. That stretch of geography has long been part of the ride's appeal, giving cyclists of varying skill levels a rolling tour of the borough's neighborhoods, greenways and historic landmarks in a single morning.
Traffic Plans and Rider Support Along the Way
The current plan calls for an open ride, meaning streets will remain open to vehicular traffic rather than being fully closed off, according to ilovethebronx.com. NYPD officers are expected to be stationed at key intersections along the routes to help manage that mixed traffic flow, the same source states.
Riders can also expect rest stops along each route stocked with water, snacks, restroom access and first-aid support, per ilovethebronx.com. Early bib pickup is planned before race day, giving participants a chance to get their materials ahead of the ride.
A Ride That's Grown From 300 to Thousands
The event is expected to draw more than 4,000 attendees.
The 2024 milestone 30th Annual Tour de Bronx was likewise described as the largest free cycling event in New York State, with 40-mile, 25-mile and 10-mile routes that concluded at the New York Botanical Garden.
That celebratory finish has become something of a tradition in its own right. PIX11 reported that the 2024 ride, marking the event's 30th year, introduced a new 10-mile route alongside the traditional 25-mile and 40-mile options, and that all routes ended at the Botanical Garden for a celebration featuring a concert and raffle.
With registration open through ilovethebronx.com, the Tour de Bronx is once again positioning itself as a hallmark of Bronx community life — a free, borough-wide ride that doubles as a showcase for its parks, waterfront and history. On October 5, the event's organizers are promising the same mix of scenic routes, rest-stop support and a finish line celebration at the New York Botanical Garden.
