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FAQ

Bike 5 2026

October 17, 2026

Have questions about BIKE 5? We’re here to help.

Below you’ll find answers to common questions about the event, registration, donations, and fundraising.

Still need assistance? Contact the Bike/Walk Central Florida team, and we’ll be happy to help.

Event FAQs

BIKE 5 is an annual urban bike tour of the “Bike 5 Cities” route, a network of trails, paths, and slow streets connecting cities and neighborhoods in the heart of Central Florida. Since its inaugural ride in 2017, Bike 5’s goal has been to fundraise for Bike/Walk Central Florida’s advocacy work, encouraging our local leaders and decision-makers to build more bike-friendly roads with slower speeds, safer intersections, protected bike lanes and more trail connections.  
Everyone! This is a community ride, not a race. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Youth (under 18): Must be registered by a parent/guardian who is also riding.
Children (under 3): For safety reasons, children under 3 are not allowed to ride on their own bike, but can be transported if attached in a cart.
The 10th Annual Bike 5 will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Check-in opens at 7:00am
Location: Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 Denning Drive, Winter Park, FL 32789
You must register to ride. Registration INCLUDES ALL FEES in the price. Prices increase as the event gets closer:

May 15-July 31: $45 (30-mile), $42.40 (10-mile)
August 1-October 15: $53 (30-mile), $47.70 (10-mile)
October 16: Registration Closed
October 17: $60 (30-mile or 10-mile)
VIP Guide Ride: $200 (30-mile or 10-mile)

- Children ages 3-7 ride FREE with a paying adult. You still must register your child.

- Discounts are available for community partners, sponsors, government employees, first responders, and healthcare professionals. Email us for a code!
Your registration supports Bike/Walk Central Florida's year-round education and advocacy programs. You can learn more from our annual impact report.

Registration includes:
- 10th anniversary T-shirt
- 1 Raffle ticket for awesome prizes
- Bike support and gear (SAG) with vehicle pick-up support phone number (on your wristband)
Route navigation – printed, digital, and well-marked routes
Ride marshal support and assistance
-  Refreshment stops along the route with food, drinks, and restrooms in every city
-  Optional personal fundraising page to support safer, more connected communities and earn rider incentives
Goodies, giveaways, and good vibes!

Note: We do not offer refunds or transfers. Your registration fee directly supports year-round education and advocacy programs.
There is only ONE starting location this year: Mead Botanical Garden. We offer two distances:

-  30-Mile Route: Waves depart at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00 am.
-  10-Mile Route: Waves depart at 9:30 and 10:00 am.

Riders should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled wave departure for check-in and packet pickup.
Free parking will be available at Mead Botanical Garden but will fill up! Additional free “park and ride” locations and arrival instructions will be emailed before the event. We recommend arriving at least 30–45 minutes before your wave start time.
Rides start in waves with Ride Marshals, but you are free to ride at your own pace! 

Please note that on-route support and rest stops operate during scheduled event hours (7:00 am – 2:30 pm).

Local bike shops, clubs, workplaces, and community groups are welcome to organize their own ride groups for the event. Teams and fundraising groups are welcome, and additional fundraising incentives and goodies will be announced soon!

Riders looking for a more guided experience can register for the limited VIP Guided Ride, featuring a small group of 10 riders with dedicated Ride Leaders and Sweeps for stress-free navigation, along with insights into the route, regional trail connectivity, and bike advocacy efforts.
We use Ride with GPS for digital navigation, but we also provide printed maps and physical arrows along the route. Please check Ride with GPS the week of the event, as routes may change due to city construction schedules.
- Your bike and helmet
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Phone for registration details, event updates, and route navigation
Comfortable riding clothes and closed-toe shoes

Hydration and refreshments will be available at stops along the route.
Yes. Helmets are required for all riders. If you forget yours, we will provide one while supplies last.
Yes! We welcome Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes under these conditions:
- Max Speed: 18 mph
Max Power: 750 watts
Class 2: You may not use the throttle exclusively for extended periods; you must pedal.
You must arrange your own rentals. We recommend Kyle’s Bike Shop or Trek Winter Park.

⚠️ Warning: Rideshare bikes (Lime, Veo, etc.) will NOT work on the route due to geofencing limits.
- Bike Mechanics: Available at select rest stops for light maintenance.
SAG Support: If you get stuck, call the support number on your wristband for a free vehicle pick-up.
T-shirts and packets are distributed during day-of check-in. We do not mail them. If you can’t make it, contact us to arrange a pick-up at our Downtown Orlando office after the event.
Raffle ticket(s) earned through registration, donations, or fundraising will be distributed during rider check-in on the day of the event. Winners will be announced at Mead Garden after rides are completed.
Rider safety is our #1 priority.
The route is amply marked with clear signage
- Bike mechanics are available at select rest stops for light maintenance. Check your route map for locations.
Vehicle support is available for transport, if you need assistance. Call the number on your wristband.
- For medical needs, first aid kits are available at all stops.
- In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Roads are NOT closed to traffic. This is a shared-road ride and all participants are expected to follow all traffic laws.

Refer to our favorite refreshers on bike safety:
Bike 5 Rider Rules
- We recommend having a pre-event tune-up at your local bike shop. This proactive step can help ensure your bike is in prime condition for the event, allowing you to focus on the experience and enjoyment of the ride!
2-minute Safe Cycling Tips Video
Email updates will be sent from bike5cities@bikewalkcf.org

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

If you have any questions, feel free to direct message us or email!
BIKE 5 is a rain-or-shine event dedicated to providing an exhilarating experience regardless of a drizzle or downpour! We understand that the weather is an elemental part of outdoor activities, and we’re prepared to embrace it. 

In the case of severe weather conditions, we may need to delay or cancel the event to ensure everyone’s safety.

Decisions regarding modifications to the event schedule will be made with the utmost consideration for the safety and enjoyment of all involved.

Please note that since event preparations incur costs that are paid in advance, we are unable to offer refunds or transfers of entries due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control, commonly referred to as “Acts of Mother Nature.”

We thank you for your dedication to making BIKE 5 not just an event, but an adventure!
We’d love to have you! We need ride marshals and support at the start and finish line. Volunteers get coffee, snacks, and a "wheelie" great time.

If you’d like to volunteer, sign-up here or send an email to bike5cities@bikewalkcf.org

Donation FAQs

All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Be sure to record Bike/Walk Central Florida’s EIN for your end-of-year tax documentation: 46-1958502

FL Registration #CH41596 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. View BWCF's Refund Policy.
A Tax ID number identifies Bike/Walk Central Florida as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Organization. The Bike/Walk Central Florida Tax ID number is 46-1958502.

FL Registration #CH41596 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
A donor can mail a check made out to Bike Walk Central Florida.

The check should be mailed to:
Bike/Walk Central Florida
100 E Pine St. Suite 110-74
Orlando, FL 32801

Please make sure that in the memo it says who the donations should be credited to if donating to a rider's fundraising campaign.
Any donor who mailed their donation and provided an address will receive a receipt via mail once the donation has been processed.
Yes, anyone who donates online, regardless of the amount, will receive a receipt via email.
If you check this checkbox, you will be charged the amount indicated next to the checkbox. This amount will also be visible to the non-profit. However, on the fundraising page, your intended initial donation amount will be displayed.
You can find a cyclist's fundraising page here.
Any donation made online should post immediately. If an online donation does not post within 5 minutes, please contact us.
When you make a donation online, you can designate what you want to appear as your recognition name on the participant's Honor Roll. This may be your name, or it could be something such as "From the whole Smith family" or "In memory of Aunt Susan."
Yes. You can make a donation to a cyclist and/or a team or you can make a general donation.

Fundraising FAQs

Fundraising is completely optional! 

BIKE 5 is all about bringing people together to celebrate connection, movement, and community. Every registered rider will receive a personal fundraising page, but participants are welcome to simply enjoy the ride without fundraising.

For those who choose to participate, fundraising helps support Bike/Walk Central Florida’s work to create safer, more connected communities where people can walk, bike, and roll for recreation and transportation.
It is not a good idea to send a cash donation in the mail. You may drop off the cash at Bike/Walk's office, 100 E Pine St. Suite 110-74, Orlando, FL 32801. Please leave a note as to whom the donation should be counted towards.
You can't enter a check online. What you can do is enter a check as a pledge. This can be done in the fundraising section of your headquarters page. The status of the check will be pending until the check is received by Bike/Walk Central Florida.
A Tax ID number identifies Bike/Walk Central Florida as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Many donors will request this number to validate their donation as tax-deductible. The Bike/Walk Central Florida Tax ID number is 46-1958502.
Login with your email and password to visit your dashboard. Select "Report" and you will find a list of all of your donors as well as a list of all donors to your team (if applicable).
As your donors make a contribution, they have the option of whether or not they want to appear in the Honor Roll.
To easily send thank-you emails to donors, follow these steps:
1. Login to your fundraiser dashboard.
2. Click "Reports" in the Menu
3. Locate the donor/donation you'd like to thank, and click "Send Email" (If the donor didn't submit their email address, this option is unavailable.)
4. Type the message in the pop-up window, and click "Send Email"
You are receiving these emails because we would like to keep you updated on your fundraising efforts. If you wish to stop receiving these updates, please login to your dashboard and edit your account preferences.
A personal fundraising URL is a shortened link to your team or personal page that you can send to friends and family. You can edit your personal URL in your dashboard.
When a donor makes a donation online, s/he can enter text to appear on the fundraising honor roll. This may be the donor's name, or it could be something like "From the whole Smith family" or "In memory of Aunt Susan."