Bike-A-Thon

The Bike-A-Thon is Bikes Not Bombs' largest and most exciting event of the year! Each rider registers and then fundraises at least $150 (and $75 for youth) to support Bikes Not Bombs' Youth Programs and International Programs. Then on June 7th, hundreds of cyclists join together on a ride for social justice along one of our scenic routes through greater Boston. Bike-A-Thon riders are ambassadors of BNB's mission to promote environmental sustainability and social justice, and all fundraising goes directly to making Bikes Not Bombs' programs possible! 

Check out photos and amazing results from the 2014 Bike-A-Thon.

Want to participate in the Bike-A-Thon as a company sponsor? Download the sponsorship details (PDF).

Get your friends! Form a team!  Many people find the Bike-A-Thon more fun and memorable when participating with a group of their favorite folks. Teams often create costumes for the Bike-A-Thon and can even fundraise together if all team members register at the same time. Plus, teams are eligible to win cool prizes! We have prizes for the team that raises the most money, has the most new riders, and the best costumes. To form a team, simply specify a team name during the registration process.

Fun & easy fundraising!

Fundraising challenge clubs and prizes

We’re starting two special fundraising clubs to recognize individuals who are extremely successful in spreading the word about Bikes Not Bombs and collecting donations! Riders will be automatically enrolled in each club once they surpass the club's minimum fundraising level. You can be part of a club and a riding team at the same time, so don’t hold back!

Club Hubs & Kisses Raise $250 and get: 5 FREE raffle tickets Temporary tattoos featuring the Hubs & Kisses logo

Club King Cogs Raise $500 and get: $50 gift certificate to BNB shop (and $100 if you raise over $1000) 1 Month Hubway membership 10 FREE raffle tickets Temporary tattoos featuring the King Cogs logo

We make it easy to raise $150 with our online fundraising system! You make your own page, email it out to friends and family, and then watch the money roll in. We also have lower fundraising requirements for young people (just $75 for ages 3-17, and no fundraising required for ages 2 and under). Many people bring in way more than the minimum; and so for those of you that go above and beyond, we show our appreciation by giving you all sorts of awesome prizes! In addition to our challenge clubs' perks, the top three fundraisers will receive something special!

Four routes!

Choose between 80 miles, 50 miles, 30 miles, or 10 miles. Then ride in solidarity with all riders returning on the same path for the rider after-party! The route system is essentially one 80 mile loop, going west-southwest, with conveniently placed shortcuts designed to suit all riding levels. Each route has at least one rest stop with abundant food and water, and the distance between stops never exceeds 18 miles. Navigating is easier than ever with our new digital smart-phone map and we will have back-up paper folding maps available. And as always, these roads will offer some of the most amazing cycling you'll find anywhere in Eastern Mass!

All rides start and end in the SW Corridor park in front of the Stony Brook T Stop, near the corner of Boylston and Lamartine St. Routes are subject to change and final GPX data will be available in June.

Read on for more info about each route...

80 mile ride Our longest Bike-A-Thon route ever clocks in just over 80 miles! Your grin will be infectious as you enjoy the smooth, beautiful, and traffic-free roads out near Millis and Holliston. And if the scenery's not enough, you'll even have the option to swim in a pond at the second rest stop! In order to finish in time for a late lunch at the after-party, riders should be able to maintain at least 11 mph average speed, with 20 minute breaks at each stop.

50 mile ride After the first rest stop in Medfield, the return trip is where the 50 mile route really shines. This route creatively weaves together the best roads and sites from the Dover area to form a secluded and adventurous ride with two rest stops. Aside from a handful of short stretches on main connecting streets, you'll find yourself forgetting cars even exist!

30 mile ride Thirty miles is perfect for cyclists who do not want to do much training but want to push themselves. All of the uphill sections on this route are relatively short and the roads are smooth, many of them have been recently resurfaced! Half way through the journey, you'll find a rest stop at the lovely Powisset Farm with plenty of food and water.

10 mile ride This route is perfect for the whole family, with many wide, safe, low-traffic roads that put any rider at ease. The rest stop has a playground and while the route is not entirely free of the inevitable uphill, the way back is almost entirely flat or downhill. Some urban riding skills are required.

Other ways to participate

Not riding? You can still get involved! Here are some options:

• Volunteer — Over 100 volunteers help with the Bike-A-Thon, check back in late March for information on volunteering!
• Sponsor a rider — Know someone riding? Show your support for their ride by sponsoring them!
• Sponsor the event and receive publicity for your business or organization in our outreach materials. Download the sponsorship details (PDF) and email Eric Mearns at sponsorship@bikesnotbombs.org for more info.

Rider after-party

Meet back in the park after the ride and celebrate your success with free food, music, and fun activities! We'll also have games such as capture the flag, basketball, and hula hoops! Fun prizes will be awarded for riders and teams that go above and beyond and you can win even more prizes at our raffle booth. The rider after-party will be at the Stony Brook Park.