MTA Encourages Cyclists to Take Transit to Five Boro Bike Tour Sunday, May 3

Bicycle Restrictions Eased on LIRR & Metro-North

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Will Close to Staten Island-Bound Traffic on Lower Level

With more than 32,000 cyclists expected to take part in this year's Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday, May 3, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is reminding New Yorkers that public transportation is the best way to get around the city this weekend.

Bike rules will be suspended on Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road to accommodate cyclists.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels will temporarily close portions of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to vehicle traffic.

Drivers should expect delays and add additional travel time.

Getting to the Five Boro Bike Tour:

Subway

To take your bike onto the subway, tap your OMNY card, smart device or credit card while the station agent watches, rotate the turnstile, and then enter through the station service gates once they are activated by the agent.

For safety's sake, please carry bikes up and down station stairs, and walk your bike when travelling through the station.

At the start or finish of the tour, customers with bicycles who wish to use the subway should use the following subway stations: Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall , Bowling Green (northbound), Chambers St ,Chambers St , Cortlandt St , and South Ferry .

Riders are asked to not use the following stations as they are not well-equipped to handle large volumes of bicycles:Rector St , Fulton St , Wall St , Park Place , Bowling Green (southbound), Wall St , Rector St , and Whitehall St .

Manhattan-bound will not be stopping at Chambers St due to planned work. Manhattan-bound trains will operate via the line from Jay Street to West 4 St where trains will resume their normal route via 8 Ave (and operate local to 59 St).

Customers are advised to use the newly revamped MTA App to ensure having the most up-to-date service information for their trip.

Buses

Bus routes will operate with detours and diversion because of street closures in all five boroughs. Please check the MTA App or the MTA website for the latest service information.

LIRR and Metro-North

The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North will offer plenty of service to get you to the start of the tour in time, and many stations offer free and unrestricted parking on Sundays.

Both railroads will allow bicyclists to board trains and bicycle restrictions will be eased.

Both railroads recommend that cyclists use a bungee cord to secure their bike while riding on the train.

To find free and unrestricted parking at your station of origin, make sure to read signs carefully at the station.

Tour participants should plan to arrive in time to ride their bike or take the subway to Battery Park for the start of the tour.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (VNB)

The Staten Island-bound lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will be closed from 12:01 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. Note that the upper level of the bridge will remain open in both directions throughout the event. To hear information about all VNB Five-Boro Bike Tour closures, call 718-556-8010.

Other closures at the VNB:

• The Bay Street exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The Lily Pond Avenue exit from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The 92 Street entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Belt Parkway entrance ramp to the Staten Island-bound lower level from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (RFK)

The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge's exit ramp to the southbound FDR Drive will be closed from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All southbound traffic must exit the RFK via the 2 Avenue-East 125 Street ramp.

Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (HLC)

Hugh L. Carey Tunnel westbound Gowanus/BQE exit will be closed from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Traffic exiting the HLC Tunnel in Brooklyn will be diverted to Hamilton Avenue or eastbound BQE during this time, and the Trinity Place exit in Manhattan will also be closed from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Motorists should expect delays and plan additional travel time or seek alternate routes.

Please note all closures are subject to the change by the authority of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).