The eagerly awaited Tour de Elizabeth, a 15-mile fun bicycle ride supported by Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, the City of Elizabeth, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders HEART grant, the private sector, and community members are scheduled for Sunday, May 21st at 9:00 a.m. Starting and finishing at Elizabeth’s City Hall, the event is managed by a community-based Bicycle Committee led by Groundwork Elizabeth.
To sign up for the ride, please visit www.groundworkelizabeth.org or www.elizabethnj.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and come with benefits for those who pledge support. Applications can also be found in Elizabeth public buildings, stores, and Union County Bicycle shops.
Each year the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders assists Groundwork Elizabeth in choosing a new theme, and this year it will be the “Sounds of our City.” As riders pedal through the diverse neighborhoods and business districts, they will hear local musicians from area schools as well as throughout Union County. Information about the artists will be provided on the event day brochure.
“The weather is getting warmer, the trees are blossoming, and the sound of hundreds of cyclists can be heard throughout the streets of our community practicing for one of our most anticipated events - the Tour de Elizabeth,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “I would like to thank all who participate each year and welcome those who will be joining us for the first time. I hope you enjoy riding through Elizabeth’s historic neighborhoods, new developments, and revitalized shopping districts.”
All ages are welcome to join the Tour, as long as the participant can keep a moderate pace of 10 miles per hour and able to ride 15 miles - there is a bail-out at the halfway mark. Please note, helmets are required for all partaking in the Tour. Members of the Elizabeth Police Department will also be on hand to escort cyclists on a route with rolling intersection closings and assist where needed.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the ride begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. The first 500 registrants will receive a signature 2017 cap, created by ABG Accessories and a t-shirt made by T-Rific Tee’s. All riders will also be given a free raffle ticket for the post-event drawings. In addition to the bike ride, a full array of tables for sponsors and services will be exhibited at Winfield Scott Park as well as water, fruit and live music by DJ Rob.
Early sponsors include a partnership: Elizabethtown Gas, and health based coalition Shaping Elizabeth, and sponsorships with T&M Associates, Elmora Pharmacy, Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Harbor Consultants, Investors Bank, Gargiulo Wholesale Distributors, the Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization, the Suburban News, the Tropicana Diner, the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Historic Midtown SID, Rock’n Joe Union, Dr. Donald Alosio, Elizabeth Rotary Club, State Farm Insurance Angel Rodriguez office, NJ American Water, Brounell and Kramer Realtors and Property Management. Opportunities are still available by contacting Jonathan Phillips at 908-289-0262.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. Their projects and efforts help beautify the City as well as promote the creation and conservation of green space by planting trees, building pocket parks, investing in urban agriculture, and raising environmental awareness through educational programs. For more information on Groundwork log on to www.groundworkelizabeth.org.