Bike MS New York City 2009 Goal: $3,000,000.00 Achieved: $2,495,334.71 Donate to Event!

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration
Fundraising
Teams
Event Information
General Questions

Registration

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR BIKE MS?
Register online or call 212-463-9791 to have a registration form sent to you. We cannot take registrations over the phone.

IS THERE A REGISTRATION FEE?
Yes and the current registration fee is $100. Registration fees are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and not applicable to the fundraising minimum.  All route options require the same registration fee.  Tandem riders are considered two individuals on one bicycle and each individual is required to register. All participants, regardless of age are required to register and fundraise. 

Please note: On October 3rd, a $150 registration fee and a minimum of $100 in donations will be required to ride. No registrations will be accepted on the day of the ride.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL CYCLIST AND A VIRTUAL RIDER?
An individual cyclist is someone who is planning on participating in the event by riding on October 4. An individual cyclist can also be a member of a team. A virtual rider is someone who cannot ride on October 4 but still registers to participate through fundraising.

IS THERE A MINIMUM FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT? 
Yes. The fundraising minimum requirement is $100 for all routes. This is in addition to the registration fee. All riders are required to fulfill their $100 minimum prior to being able to participate in Bike MS 2009.* In 2008, participants raised an average of $517 each - challenge yourself!  Get our helpful fundraising tips here. (*Matching gifts will not count towards the $100 fundraising minimum unless the money is received before October 4.) 

WHERE DO I SEND MY DONATIONS?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Bike MS New York City
PO Box 10123
Uniondale, NY 11555-0123

WHO SHOULD CHECKS BE MADE OUT TO?
Bike MS NYC.  Also, remember to put your name and account number in the memo section of each check so we know to credit your Bike MS account. Your account number is located on the mailing label of your Partcipant Guide and in your Participant Center. 

WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO? 
For every dollar raised, more than 82 cents is spent on local programs and services for people with MS and their families living in New York City's five boroughs, as well as funding critical local, national and international research into the cause and a cure for MS. 

DO I HAVE TO BRING MY DONATIONS TO THE EVENT?
We encourage all participants to raise donations online, mail donations in before or after Bike MS or stop by the MS Office to drop off donations (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Please do NOT bring cash. If you have additional donations, you can bring them with you to the event.

ARE DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND HOW DO I GET A RECEIPT?
Yes. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your cancelled check or credit card transaction confirmation serves as a receipt. Donors giving $250 or more will automatically receive an acknowledgement from the National MS Society by the end of 2009. Please note that donations are non-refundable.

WHAT IF MY COMPANY WANTS TO MATCH MY DONATION?
To take part in the Matching Gifts Program, please visit your Human Resources Department and ask for a Matching Gift form. Make sure you include your name and team name, if applicable, to the matching gift form so we can apply the match to your individual account correctly. Send the completed form to Bike MS Matching Gifts, 733 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10017. Please include a printout of the online donation or copy of the check, if possible.

HOW LONG AFTER I SEND IN A CHECK DOES IT TAKE TO SHOW UP ON MY PERSONAL WEBPAGE?
It depends how many checks are coming into the office and how close it is to the event. Checks that are sent in to the office prior to the event can take 2-4 weeks to show up. Any donations that you hand in the day of the event can take up to 6 weeks to show up on your account. To avoid the wait, encourage your donors to donate online! Online donations are safe and easy!

WHAT IS AN MVP?
An MVP is a top fundraising rider that raises $1,000 or more by the day of Bike MS. MVPs are eligible for special perks. Learn more

WHAT IS THE TERRIFIC 200 CLUB?
The Terrific 200 Club is an honor awarded to our top 200 fundraisers from the previous year's Bike event.  These 200 individuals have exhibited outstanding fundraising achievements that deserve to be recognized. Learn more

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Teams

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF STARTING A TEAM?
Participating in Bike MS is more fun when you are part of a team and it’s a little known fact that team members raise more than individual riders. Teams get a meeting area at the event and get the chance to participate in team contests with great prizes. Teams can also qualify for top fundraising honors and rewards.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DO I HAVE TO HAVE ON MY TEAM?
Teams must consist of four or more members in order to receive any team recognition, awards, and prizes.

CAN MY TEAM HAND IN OUR DONATIONS ALL TOGETHER WITH OUR TEAM CAPTAIN?
No.  All donations must be handed in individually.  Every participant is required to raise a minimum of $100 in order to be able to ride in Bike MS 2009.  Fundraising prizes and incentives are based on individual fundraising success.

WHAT ARE TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM HONORS?
Top Tier Teams are teams that raise $30,000 or more.  They receive a private meeting area at the start and finish lines of Bike MS. The Team Village is an area at the finish line for teams that raise $10,000 or more.  Teams are able to request tables, chairs and food to the Bike MS Staff, and are able to decorate their individual Team Village areas for the event.

WHAT IF I ALREADY REGISTERED AS AN INDIVIDUAL BUT WANT TO START/JOIN A TEAM?
We can make that change for you. Contact us at teams@msnyc.org or 212-453-3253.

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Event Information

WHAT IF IT RAINS?
Bike MS takes place rain or shine.

WHERE CAN I PARK ON THE DAY OF BIKE MS?
You can find parking lot locations by neighborhood and estimated costs at http://nyc.bestparking.com/. We highly recommend that riders use public transportation and carpool, as many roads will be closed on the day of Bike MS, and there is limited parking near the start and finish lines

WHAT DO I DO IF I GET A FLAT TIRE?
We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike. However, if you are still unable to make the repair, marshals and SAG buses will accompany riders along all 3 routes. Should you need assistance, just let one of the marshals know and, if a marshal is unable to assist you with the repair, a SAG bus will take you to a rest stop where Mechanical support is available. Please note that the wait for assistance and/or a ride to the nearest rest stop can be long and by waiting, you run the risk of not being allowed to finish the route.  Check out our safety and training pages for information on classes where you can learn basic safety and repair skills.

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General Questions

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN BIKE MS?

Bike MS NYC does not have a minimum age requirement. If you are registering a minor, under the age of 18, to ride please review our Minor Policy before registering. Participants between ages 12-17 must be accompanied by a guardian and submit a notarized waiver.

Participants under the age of 18, can only participate in the 30 mile route option and must be accompanied by a guardian. No tagalongs, trailers or carriers will be permitted. Tandem bikes will be permitted as long as both riders are  physically able to pedal the bike.

Every rider, regardless of age, must meet the $100 fundraising minimum in order to ride.

Note for 2010 Changes to the Policy for Minors:
Beginning with Bike MS New York City 2010, children under the age of 12 will not be permitted to ride in any portion of the Ride.

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BIKE MS STAFF?
You can contact us at bikeMS@msnyc.org or 212-463-9791.

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