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 8th, 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 2013 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: 10 FREE raffle tickets Temporary tattoos featuring the King Cogs logo $50 gift certificate to BNB shop (and $100 if you raise over $1000)

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 brand new routes!

All new for 2014! Four routes functioning together as one system!

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 will be easier than ever! Just follow the bright yellow arrow stickers on the ground, or use our new custom folding map or smart-phone map if necessary. And as always, these roads will offer some of the most amazing cycling you'll find anywhere in Eastern Mass!

Read on for more info about each route...

Check in starts: 7:30 AM Ride departs: 8:00 AM New 80 mile ride At just over 80 miles, this is our longest Bike-A-Thon route ever! Some of these roads out near Millis and Holliston are so smooth, beautiful, and traffic-free that you'll be able to hear yourself grinning. 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.

Check in starts: 8:30 AM Ride departs: 9:30 AM New 50 mile ride After a quick jaunt to the first rest stop in Medfield, the way back is really where this route shines. Seasoned roadies know Dover as a go-to spot for exquisite green space and fresh, ironed pavement. This route creatively weaves together the best roads from the Dover area, like Claybrook Rd, Powisset St, and more, 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!

Check in starts: 9:30 AM Ride departs: 10:30 AM New 30 mile ride Thirty miles is a great distance for cyclists who want to push themselves without doing too much training, and on this carefully planned route, all the uphill sections are relatively short. Many of the roads have been recently resurfaced, too! Half way through the journey, you'll find a rest stop at the lovely Powisset Farm with plenty of food and water.

Check in starts: 10:30 AM Ride departs: 11:30 AM New 10 mile ride Perfect for the whole family, this route features many wide, safe, low-traffic roads that put any rider at ease. Though not entirely free of the inevitable uphill, this route is significantly more flat than last year's 15 mile ride. Plus, the rest stop has a playground, and 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 — We need over 100 volunteers. Learn more, and sign up!
• Sponsor a rider — Know someone riding? Show your support for their ride by sponsoring them!
• Ride in a pedicab — If you are unable to ride a bike for one reason or another, you can still do the Bike-A-Thon by riding in a pedicab along the 10-mile route. Pedicab support is donated by Boston Pedicab. Limited spaces available. Please contact Natalie Brady at natalie@bikesnotbombs.org for more info. 
• Sponsor the event and receive publicity for your business or organization in our outreach materials. Download the sponsorship details (PDF) or contact Erica Rotman at erica@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! Lebanese cuisine is generously provided by Amir's Natural Foods, and Chef Brian Sway will prepare fresh salads with donated veggies from Vanguarden Farms. 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 from 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm.