For immediate release:
May 19th, 2007

Contact:
Dani Simons, Transportation Alternatives
646-873-6025 / 203-980-8820 (cell);
Contact: Elizabeth Berberich, GIPEC
212-440-2205/914-830-1565 (cell)

DISCOVER CAR FREE FAMILY CYCLING ON GOVERNORS ISLAND:
Island to allow bikes for first time this summer

What:     Sneak Preview of family-friendly car-free cycling on Governor’s Island

When:    Saturday, May 19th, 2007

Where:   Governors Island, seven minutes by ferry from the Battery, Lower Manhattan. Ferries leave at noon from the Battery Maritime Building (corner of Whitehall and South Streets in Lower Manhattan)

This summer Governors Island will be open for family-friendly, car-free cycling for the first time ever. Transportation Alternatives and the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) are hosting a sneak preview of cycling in this unique setting on May 19th, before the Island opens to the general public for the season on June 2nd.

This is the first time that visitors will be able to bicycle on Governors Island.

The northern half of the Island, consisting of approximately 92 acres, has been designated as both a National Historic Landmark District and a New York City Historic District. Governors Island’s one mile bike loop features vistas of the Lower Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor, views of Brooklyn’s working waterfront and Staten Island’s north shore and a unique view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Starting June 2nd Governors Island will be open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm. Visitors to the Island can enjoy summer concerts and programs, picnic on the historic Parade Ground, relax under the trees in Colonel’s Row, take a leisurely bike ride or a self guided tour of the historic district.

“Car-free space helps new cyclists build cycling skills and confidence and gets those new to biking comfortable on two-wheels, whatever their age. Transportation Alternatives applauds the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation for opening Governors Island to families looking for a safe place to pedal,” says Transportation Alternatives’ Executive Director Paul Steely White.

“We are thrilled that, for the first time, Governors Island will be open for family bicycling this summer,” said Leslie Koch, President of Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. “We invite all families to the Island to take a leisurely, car-free bike ride and enjoy all that Governors Island has to offer.”

Reporters are invited to the preview day; please RSVP to events@transalt.org or 646-873-6025 for more details.

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