On May 4, New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan will welcome the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour to the streets of New York City. The Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest recreational cycling event in the United States. This exciting tour, that is expected to attract over 30,000 cyclists, involves a 42-mile leisurely ride on traffic-free roads throughout all five of New York City's boroughs. The Tour will begin promptly at 8:00am, following an opening ceremony with city officials.

"Whether you are an avid cyclist or a weekend warrior, the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour's 42-mile course will offer a challenging ride for all skill levels," said Commissioner Podziba. "The traffic-free roadways will provide a fun and safe atmosphere for participants to experience the many diverse and beautiful neighborhoods in all five of our boroughs."

The Tour starts in Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Taking advantage of car-free roads, the route travels north through the heart of Manhattan to Central Park and continues on to historic Harlem and the Bronx, returning south along the East River on the FDR Drive. From there riders cross into Queens and then Brooklyn, where cyclists take over the highway before making the thrilling climb up -- and down -- the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The Tour ends with a celebratory Festival on Staten Island. After enjoying the live entertainment, exhibits, and food concessions, riders can take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry back to Manhattan, completing the ultimate of New York experiences. The route map and an interactive photo tour are available on the Bike New York Web site.

"We're looking forward to showing 30,000 riders the best views of New York on May 4, and to continuing to support the city's efforts to improve cycling year-round," said Bike New York Executive Director Pam Tice. "The advance sell-out of the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour reflects the growing popularity of cycling in New York, as more and more people realize how useful bicycles are for errands, exercise, and fun. With its car-free streets and numerous rest areas, the Tour experience is an extra special occasion to ride."

Founded in 1977 with just 250 participants, this non-competitive ride has grown to involve some 30,000 cyclists and 1,500 volunteers, including fitness enthusiasts, families, and friends from around the globe.

"The Five Boro Bike Tour provides a unique opportunity to bike through each of the city's boroughs on car-free roads," said Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "The number of daily cyclists in New York has grown by 75% since 2000, and we aim to maintain that trend by building out a more extensive cycling network. This Tour provides a great opportunity for even more New Yorkers to realize how healthy, convenient and fun it is to get around the City on two wheels."

For further information, please visit Bike New York's website at www.bikenewyork.org or call 212-932-BIKE.

Bike New York is a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, and collaboration with community and government organizations. Best known for the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike New York also organizes smaller rides and runs a Bicycle Education Program offering free classes and workshops for adults and children.

The mission of the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is to provide for the safe, efficient, environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in New York City. To fulfill this mission, DOT controls and regulates traffic; builds and maintains streets, sidewalks, highways, bridges and municipal parking facilities; maintains and operates the Staten Island Ferry; and acts as an advocate and a voice for better transportation.

The New York City Sports Commission is the mayoral agency charged with attracting, facilitating and promoting professional, amateur and scholastic sports events in New York City. In recent years, the Sports Commission has played a role in creating or developing many new sporting events, including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ Champions Week, the BMC Software NYC Cycling Championship, the AVP Brooklyn Open, the NAUTICA NYC Triathlon, the NYC Half-Marathon, the Union Square Street Sessions presented by Jeep®, the Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race and the Men's Health Urbanathlon.