This Saturday May 19th there’s an amazing opportunity to see nyc folding bikes in action, at the Folds Up! Folding Bike Ride and Festival hosted by Time’s up. The fun begins at 1:00pm at Bethesda Terrace, Central Park where participants gather to cheer on the small-wheeled bike race!
The race itself will be open to the public. All that you need to participate is a folding bike with 20 inch wheels or less, and a healthy willingness to have a damn good time. Just register online, show up, take a few spins around the loop at 73rd and 74th Street, and hopefully even win a few prizes!
Ride your 
folding bike in NYC!
After the race, folding bike racers and spectators alike will embark on a leisurely 10-mile ride through Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s going to be a wild ride. It’s fun enough just cruising through NYC on a bike, but a pack of folding bikes in New York City? Man, that’s going to turn a few heads, blow a few minds even.
The bike ride will feature many different makes and models so it’s going to be a great opportunity to see a wide range of folding bikes in action. We’ll finally get to see Brompton, Dahon, and Tern folding bikes go head to head! Wheel to wheel!
Folding Bike Festivities!
After the ride, (around 4pm according to the website) everyone will head down to the Stuyvesant Cove Park (East 23rd Street at the East River) where the Folds Up! Festival will commence. Even if you weren’t able to go on the ride, you should definitely check out the festival. Not only will you get to see tons of amazing folding-bikes—the Brompton, Swift Folder, Dahon, Strida, Moulton, Think, and Bike Friday to name a few– there will also be demonstrations, question and answer discussions, and even a chance to test ride some of the best folding bikes in nyc.
You’ve got to hand it to organizations like Times Up that make these types of festivals happen. Part of what I love about biking is the feeling of being a part of a community– being surrounded by a group of like-minded (and if they’re like me slightly nutty) people who share my passions. In a way, folding bikes are so new that it can be difficult to find your niche, and festivals like Folds up! create a great opportunity for us to get together and start a good conversation.
So without a doubt, take advantage of this awesome festival, check out some awesome folding bikes, and, if you havn’t already, maybe you’ll end up finding that perfect bike for you!
Jack
