Biking in the Bronx? Yes, Thonx!

By JESSICA JUPITER

To say that there has been a strong push for a more biker-friendly New York City would be an understatement. In the past four years alone, more than 250 miles of bicycle-only lanes have been added to the streets. The latest venture of Citi Bike, which offers some 6000 bikes at 330 stations, is also pushing for commuters to replace their cars, buses, and trains with two wheels of eco-friendliness.

Now the only borough on the continental U.S. is getting into the act

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a long time advocate for a bike-friendly city, is the latest force in encouraging New Yorkers to get out and bike. On Tuesday at the Native Plant Garden in The New York Botanical Garden, Diaz spoke to the press about the upcoming ‘Tour de Bronx’ bicycling event.

The event, which takes place on Sunday, October 27th, consists of a 25 or 40-mile course that passes through 61 neighborhoods in the borough. Currently in its 19th year, the tour is the largest, free cycling event to be held in the city.

“This is a firsthand quality experience of the Bronx,” Diaz said, referring to the borough as “God’s country.”.

“It’s about making sure that people in this borough are healthy,” said Roberto Garcia, director of community relations at Montefiore Hospital, who also urged Bronxites to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act..

Ben McRoberts of Transpotation Alternatives praised Diaz for “fighting the environmental injustices” of the city, adding that there was no better way than to promote cycling.

Diaz plans to cycle in the event as he did last year. “I’ll be sticking to the 25 miles,” he said. The 40-mile course, he added, was for more accomplished cyclists. “I don’t own a bike,” he admitted to a reporter.

Though the tour starts at 161st Street and a finish line at the Botanical Garden, “This is not a race,” stressed Diaz. “This is a tour of the Bronx.”