Rochester Bike Week 2026

Rochester, NY - Spring is here, the flowers are in bloom, and peak bicycling season is upon us! To celebrate bicycling in Monroe County, Reconnect Rochester and community partners are proud to present Rochester Bike Week 2026! This 10-day festival shows newcomers how welcoming our bike community is and encourages residents to leave their cars at home for short trips in good weather in favor of two or three wheeled devices.

The full schedule of rides and events is posted at reconnectrochester.org/bikeweek Organizers include Reconnect Rochester, Just for Giggles, Flower City Family Cycling, Rochester Bicycling Club, Rochester Youth Cycling Club, Rochester Bicycle + Fitness, Western New York Bike Racing Club, Rochester Bike Gang, GROC, Brighton’s Recreation Department, George Eastman Museum, Rochester’s Recreation Department and Rochester Rainbow Riders.

The media is encouraged to show up to any of the listed events, talk with riders, and get a taste of the excitement. Of particular note is GROC’s 2026 Community Kickoff event on Friday May 15th, 6-9pm at Backwoods by Kettle Ridge in Fairport. 20+ local riding groups will be present along with bike shops.

“Rochester has a thriving bike community,” says Reconnect Rochester Cycling Manager Jesse Peers. “Whatever someone’s schedule or riding style is, there’s a group ready to welcome them with open arms. So many lifelong friendships start by riding bikes together.”

The City along with many towns and villages are making intentional investments in bike infrastructure such as trails and bike lanes, and the investments are starting to pay off. Reconnect Rochester’s custom map of the easier ways to bike around Monroe County, ROC Easy Bike, has over 210,000 views. As their new video promo for it says, “Rochester is more bikeable than you think when sticking to those lines.”

“With soaring gas prices and inflation overall, it’s a wonderful time to explore whether biking or scooting for some of your trips is feasible,” Peers says. Reconnect Rochester offers custom bike route assistance on its website. Between 2023-25, 140 individuals were sent custom low-stress bike routes from their neighborhood to their workplace or other regular destination. During the creation of their 2019 Comprehensive Access & Mobility Plan, the City of Rochester found that the average resident had a 4.1-mile commute, a distance that is easily bikeable in 25 minutes or so.

Reconnect Rochester also points out its on-bike Smart Cycling classes. “When I started biking around in 2012, I was intimidated by traffic. I wasn’t comfortable. That changed when I took a simple bike class. It was just what I needed,” Peers says. Reconnect Rochester’s first bike class of the year is on the Monday of Bike Week. The class’s tagline is “Get the confidence you need to enjoy riding more.”

When Bike Week ends, the fun is only beginning! Reconnect Rochester has a Community Cycling Calendar on their website where any bike group or organizer can add an open-invite bike ride or cycling-themed event. Notable upcoming events outside Bike Week include:

• May 3rd Seneca Park Zoo Circuit Race & NYS Championships

• May 6th National Bike to School Day

• May 19th First Unity Ride of the Year with Black Girls Do Bike

• May 20th Ride of Silence

• May 27th First Flower City Feeling Good community ride of the year with Reconnect Rochester and EE Pathways

• June 7th The Flower Pedal Populaire with the Keeping It Classy Cycling Club

• June 13th EE Pathways’ Juneteenth Underground Railroad Bike Ride

• June 20th ROC Freedom Riders’ Juneteenth Bike Ride

Head to reconnectrochester.org/cyclingcalendar for more information.