Plans are underway for the ACS Bike-A-Thon 2026 ride! All aspects of the ride are currently being evaluated and fine-tuned to provide you the best ride yet! Check back here often for the most up-to-date announcements and information.
Make sure you also follow @phillybike on Facebook and Instagram to see the latest news and updates.
RIDER CREDENTIAL DISTRIBUTION PROCESS
How do I get my rider packet?
Option 1
Rider packets will be mailed out starting in April at no cost for registered riders who are:
Recognized as a 2024 Top Fundraiser and who have met their fundraising minimum of $200 (on top of their registration fee)
Adults, 18 - years or older who have met the minimum fundraising requirements of $200 (on top of their registration fee) by 11:59pm on Monday, April 13th.*
Youth, 13 – 17 years old who have met the minimum fundraising requirements of $50 by 11:59pm on Monday, April 13th.*
*Date subject to change
Option 2
Riders who meet their minimum fundraising requirement ($200 for Adults, 18-years or older or $50 for Youth, 13 – 17 years old on top of their registration fee) after April 13th may pick up their packet at one of our many packet pick-up locations near Philadelphia and South Jersey. Locations will be announced closer to the ride.
IMPORTANT
There will be no day of event walk-up registration or rider packet pick-up.
$200 Fundraising Minimum - If you do not meet the required fundraising minimum of $200 (on top of your registration fee) by the deadline of June 6, your registration will automatically be converted to a virtual participant.
If you have any questions, please send an inquiry to philadelphia.bike@cancer.org.
Can someone pick-up my credentials for me?
Yes! A teammate, family member, friend, can pick-up your credentials for you. As long as you have reached the $200 fundraising minimum, they can just let the staff on-site know they are picking up for you by verifying your address.
How do I properly attach my bib plate?
You must place your handlebar bib plate on the front of your bike. It contains a timing chip that will be used to track your ride! Please use the provided zip ties to affix it to your handlebars. Make sure the front of the bib plate is facing forward – the side with the number and logos. DO NOT place this bib plate on your top tube - it will not work properly. It needs to be forward facing on the front of your handlebars.
What is the tracking app to install?
Participants, Family, & Friends can all use the Live Tracking to share in the excitement! On ride day, spectators can get status of participants in real-time using the Live Tracker & Leaderboard. Details such as time, pace, position on the map and estimated finish will be instantly available! Download the RTRT.Me app from the App Store or Google Play today!START POINT
Will there be any changes to the Start Point in Philadelphia?
At this time, the ACS Bike-A-Thon Start Point will work similarly as in the past with a staggered start. Survivors will lead the ride, followed by Century Riders and then all others.
Do you offer bag check?
Yes, bags can be dropped at the designated location at all Start Points. Bags are delivered to the End Point. Baggage tag must match participant rider number in order to be claimed.
Will there be parking at the Start Point in Philadelphia?
If you plan to park, please download and prominently display the Philadelphia parking pass* on your car dashboard and make sure you are parked in a legal parking spot. The American Cancer Society is not responsible for any fees associated with any parking violations you receive. Go to www.acsbike.org and scroll down to Forms and Documents for the parking pass.
*Parking Passes will be available closer to the ride
ROUTE
What is this year's route?
The base route starts from Philadelphia, at the Ben Franklin Bridge, goes through South Jersey, and ends at Ski Beach in Ventnor, New Jersey. Rute maps will be published closer to the event, however, maps from the 2025 event can be found here:
Click for RidewithGPS - Base Route
Click here for the Cue Sheet - Base Route
What time do I need to finish the route by?
This is a ride, not a race, take your time and enjoy the ride! The AC Expressway closes at 3 PM so as long as you've entered the Expressway by this time there are no constraints.
SAFETY
Are there any items that will not be permitted at the ACS Bike-A-Thon?
Yes, the following items are not permitted during this event:
- Drones or any other unmanned and remote-controlled aircraft systems
- Fireworks, firearms, and weapons of any kind
- Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, cigars, and vaporizers
Are electric bikes aka e-bikes permitted?
E-bikes are permitted in the ACS Bike-A-Thon under certain conditions. A few of the key requirements and best practices for participation in Bike-A-Thon with an e-bike are listed below. IF you are planning to ride an e-bike please make sure you register as an "E-bike adult participant"
- Class 1 and Class 3 Electric Bicycles are permitted. Class 2 Electric Bicycles are prohibited.
- E-bikes must be pedal assist (specifically, the bike does not move without pedaling). Throttled e-bikes are prohibited.
- No participants with an e-bike will be permitted to start at the Ben Franklin Bridge starting point. You must choose an alternate start point.
- There are specific considerations regarding SAG and bike shop support for participants utilizing e-bikes. Review our full policy carefully and plan your ride accordingly to avoid any disruptions to your ACS Bike-A-Thon experience.
Electrical assisted bikes can physically accommodate, advance mobility, and provide a number of benefits to a wider range of people and cyclists who struggle to bike conventionally, including cancer patients and survivors. The American Cancer Society of Greater Philadelphia supports the inclusivity of ridership among everyone who chooses to participate in and fundraise for the ACS Bike-A-Thon.
Am I able to rent a bike if I don't have one?
Due to the unique nature of this ride, which welcomes both experienced and non-experienced cyclists to share the road with vehicles, the American Cancer Society will allow only youth age 13+ to participate in person with a participating parent or guardian.
As an alternative, Bike-A-Thon offers a Virtual Participant option, which is open to individuals of all ages. There is a $25 registration fee, but no minimum fundraising required. Those who raise funds above the $25 registration fee qualify for fundraising incentives.
Are helmets required to ride?
Yes, all cyclists must wear a safe and well-fitting helmet.
Contacts
Who do I contact if I need help outside of work hours?
Our helpline is available to you 24/7/365 and provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer.
Here you'll be able to connect with a trained cancer specialist who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis, while also providing guidance and emotional support. You can call us at 1-800-227-2345 or chat via cancer.org.
END POINT & AMENITIES
Is there a map?
Is there a return transportation option?
We will have Return Transportation back to Philadelphia and New Jersey at the following times*:
- To Philadelphia at 1:30 PM
- To Cherry Hill/Hammonton at 2:30 PM
- To Philadelphia at 4 PM
Each bus seats 55 passengers with a bike transport truck that follows.
*Subject to change
Do the Philadelphia buses make other stops?
No, the Philadelphia buses will take riders straight from the endpoint back to Philadelphia.
Will there be additional transportation options for riders?
There will be shuttle buses available to transport riders to the terminal for access to NJ Transit trains. Space is very limited. First come, first served. Shuttle buses will run continuously from 11am-3pm.
NJ Transit trains will be relaxing their per car bike minimum rule and will be adding train cars to accommodate our riders.
Egg Harbor City Station near Egg Harbor Rest Stop
Hammonton Station near Hammonton Rest Stop
Lindenwold Station near Cherry Hill Rest Stop
30th St. Station near 5th and Race Start Point
Will there be valet bike parking?
Yes. There will be a secured bike valet set up at the End Point guarded by security. Bicycle tag must match participant rider number in order to be claimed.
Will food be available at the End Point?
Yes. Complementary lunch options for registered cyclists and volunteers will be provided by the American Cancer Society. You can see a list of our food trucks listed here closer to the ride.
I typically plan to stay overnight in Atlantic City the weekend of the ride. Will you still offer discounted room blocks at local hotels?
Check back later for information on booking a hotel with one of our partners in Atlantic City.
Where can I park at the endpoint?
Overnight parking on Saturday and all-day parking on Sunday will be at the Wellington Ave Lot in Ventnor, NJ. Jitney's will shuttle Bike-A-Thon spectators to/from the lot to Ski Beach and will continuously loop throughout the afternoon. On-street parking is also available throughout the area.
A parking pass will be made available for download closer to the event.
VOLUNTEERING
I am unable to ride but want to volunteer, where can I sign-up?
The Bike-A-Thon depends on volunteers to be successful. We are so thankful you're willing to dedicate your time, enthusiasm, and passion to support our mission. You can sign-up to join us from our volunteer website which will be available closer to the ride
What role can I have as a volunteer?
As an event day volunteer, you can help with event-day activities such as check-in, water stations, information, and much more. Volunteer opportunities are available starting at the Ben Franklin Bridge, all the way to our end point at Ski Beach.
Am I able to fundraise as a volunteer?
Check back later for details on how to register as a fundraiser.
