Jersey City Bike Tour Rolling to Liberty State Park, June 5th

One of my favorite JC events! The Jersey City Ward Tour & Festival returns June 5th for its seventh year and celebrates the preservation of Liberty State Park with an expanded festival on the park’s beautiful waterfront.

I did the Ward Tour two years in a row and had a blast! It is such a great way to see Jersey City with thousands of other cyclists. The first year we even brought mini-chicpea along with us! So it’s a great activity for the whole family! Wear your helmet, bring some water and enjoy the ride through Jersey City.

The signature event of local cycling advocacy group Bike JC, last year the Ward Tour took nearly 2,000 riders on a free 15-mile cruise through all six of Jersey City’s political wards, with a police escort. Early registration for the 2016 edition is on pace for an even bigger ride!

But this year, the tour has a new start at historic City Hall, and a finish amid the green lawns and sweeping harbor views of Liberty State Park

The tour starts on a Sunday morning at 11 a.m. on Montgomery Street at Grove Street, next to City Hall (280 Grove St.).

The Finish Line Festival follows there all afternoon, featuring live music, a Gastro Alley of food trucks and vendors, a beer garden, arts and kids’ activities, the Horizon Wellness Village, an expo with community/nonprofit organizations, and more.

“We’re planning a bigger and better festival, taking advantage of the amazing green open space now available to us in the park,” Englese said.

In keeping with the celebratory atmosphere, the featured musical act will be Jersey favorites The NERDS, the high-energy über-cover band with a side of costumed comedy. Local standouts Beninghove’s Hangmen and the Penniless Loafers will get things rolling.

Food/drink trucks and purveyors expected for the extensive Gastro Alley include Mayon Grill (BBQ), Rosie’s Eatery (aka Taco Guy), Bread & Spoon, The Cow and The Curd, Milk Sugar Love, Whos Gluten Free, Lizzmonade, and Hi-FiBar, with more signing on daily. For your morning coffee/breakfast needs, Bike JC is also setting up discounts for riders at cafés and restaurants surrounding the City Hall start.

The Sirelo Entertainment community drum circle will again warm up and send off the riders at the start (all are welcome to participate with their own percussion instruments).

Registration for the tour is required and is free at bikejc.org, with a $5 suggested donation to Bike JC. Riders must be age 12 or older, and must wear helmets. Younger children may be carried securely on an adult’s bike. Rain date is June 12th.

The Jersey City Ward Tour is presented in partnership with the City of Jersey City, Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. This year Bike JC is welcoming a new principal sponsor, the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

Bike JC is a citizen-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that aims to make Jersey City streets welcoming for bicyclists by promoting bike-friendly policies, including bike lanes, bicycle education, and traffic law enforcement.

TOUR FACTS

WHEN: Sunday, June 5th, Ride 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Festival 1–6 p.m.

WHERE:

—Start at Montgomery St. & Grove St., next to City Hall, 280 Grove St.

—Finish & festival @ Liberty State Park, south of the end of Audrey Zapp Dr.

DISTANCE: 15+ miles

RIDE TIME: About 2 hours. (Slowest riders at the rear may finish closer to 1:30.)

RIDERS REGISTERED LAST YEAR: 2,068

COST: Free, $5 suggested donation to Bike JC

RAIN DATE: June 12th

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BIKE JC ONLINE:

Website: bikejc.org

Facebook: Bike JC

Twitter: @bikejc

Instagram: @bikejcgram