The 2026 Temple University Bike Tour is not a race. It’s less about personal bests and more about community connections. It’s a greenway journey of discovery and taking the time to regain that sense of wonder for the world around you.
Temple’s Bike Tour, according to Sean Starosta, Lead Administrative Specialist with the Temple University Office of the Provost and one of the lead coordinators of the tour, “is a bike tour for people who don’t think that they can do a bike tour.”
“We have worked hard to develop an event that will provide seasoned riders a great ride but also give everyone an opportunity to experience these beautiful greenways. I think anyone who is capable of riding a bike can do this ride,” they said. “We’ve had everyone from pre-teens to longtime retirees participate and if anyone gets uncomfortable during the route, we’ll make sure they have all the support they need to get to the finish line. This is a tour for anyone who wants to try it out, which I think is what makes it special.”
The 3rd Annual Temple University Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register online at https://ambler.temple.edu/biketour.
The Bike Tour is $35 for general riders and $15 for Temple students. Funds raised during the Bike Tour will support Temple Ambler.
With each year, the Temple Bike Tour has continued to grow in scope, according to Dr. Vicki Lewis McGarvey, Vice Provost for University College and Director of Temple University Ambler
“Our first 125 cyclists, they were our pioneers. Last year the number of cyclists grew to 250 and we look forward to seeing many new and returning faces on the tour this year,” she said. “The goal of the Bike Tour is to have students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the Philadelphia and regional cycling community — truly anyone — join us on this beautiful tour and see firsthand how we can make these connections between the city and its surroundings.”
Hosted by Temple University Ambler, the Temple University Office of Sustainability and the Temple University Office of the Provost, the scenic tour begins at the Temple University Diamond Street parking lot in Philadelphia and ends at Temple University Ambler. Cyclists will travel a beautiful 22-mile route, touring the Greenway through Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park's Forbidden Drive and Fort Washington State Park.
The idea for a Bike Tour between Main Campus and Temple Ambler was first developed by Carter van Dyke, a longtime member of the Temple University Ambler Board of Visitors and founding partner of Carter van Dyke Associates – Planners/Landscape Architects, said Starosta.
“The tour starts off with some city riding — which I personally love — and then enters what I think is one of the most beautiful bike corridors in the whole country. You’re along the Schuylkill River Trail, which is unique, wide and paved, and then enter Wissahickon Valley Park's Forbidden Drive, where it is gravely — the conditions there are variable,” they said. “We recommend having a hybrid or gravel bike because you will experience everything from pavement to gravel along the tour.”
Special Experiences from Start to Finish
According to Starosta, the Bike Tour is expanding in a number of new ways from beginning to end and even before the tour begins.
“This year, bike rentals are available for the reduced rate of $30 — and just $15 for current Temple students — through Wednesday, April 15, thanks to Fairmount Bicycles,” they said. “Bikes will be delivered to the Diamond Lot at Main Campus for pickup at the starting line and may be returned at the finish line at Temple Ambler. We want to make sure that all of the resources are in place so that anyone who wants to take part in the Bike Tour can take part in the Bike Tour.”
Neighborhood Bike Works will provide “basic pre-ride safety checks such as checking tire pressure, ensuring brakes are working and minor bike adjustments,” said Starosta.
“I think having mechanics on hand at the beginning of the tour is an essential addition for this year,” they said.
Temple Kinesiology students will also lead cyclists in stretching and warm-ups. Temple Police will additionally be on hand to help guide Bike Tour cyclists during the first stretch of the ride, according to Starosta.
“As people become more and more reliant on vehicles, people have forgotten what a greenway is — using the trails and the different trail systems in our area to travel,” said avid cyclist Chris Willard, Director of Tactical and Professional Development in Temple’s Department of Public Safety, who is planning to ride in 2026 after taking in the 2024 and 2025 Temple bike tours. “I hope that participants see what they're capable of doing on a bike, and they discover other organized rides or even just make it a regular activity for their family. I hope they also see how much Temple is working to be an important community resource throughout the region.”
Emphasizing the health benefits of cycling, two important parts of the Temple University Health System, Fox Chase Cancer Center, the lead “Community Builder” sponsor, and Temple Health — Chestnut Hill Hospital are returning as sponsors for the 2026 Bike Tour.
“Chestnut Hill Hospital is proud to be part of Temple Health and the broader Temple University community, so supporting the Bike Tour is a natural fit,” said Richard Newell, President of Temple Health — Chestnut Hill Hospital. “The event brings together wellness, sustainability and community connection — all values that align closely with our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. It’s also a great way for us to engage with neighbors and partners across the region in a positive, active setting.”
Newell, who took part in the 2025 Bike Tour, said he will be one of the cyclists again for 2026.
“My first experience in 2025 was fantastic — the Greenway showcases the region’s natural spaces and promotes environmentally friendly transportation and recreation,” he said. “The atmosphere on the tour is energizing and there’s a real sense of camaraderie among riders of all experience levels. It’s inspiring to see so many people come together around health and community.”
According to Newell, for this year’s Bike Tour he is “especially excited to be encouraging our team to join me through our ‘Ride with Rich’ initiative.”
“We’re inviting Chestnut Hill Hospital leadership and staff to ride together as a team, which makes the experience even more fun and meaningful. It’s a great opportunity to connect outside the workplace, support wellness and represent our hospital in the community — I’m looking forward to seeing many colleagues at the starting line,” he said. “Events like this highlight how physical activity can be enjoyable, social and accessible. Cycling supports cardiovascular health, endurance and mental well-being, and participating in a group ride adds motivation and connection. It reinforces that taking care of your health can also be fun and community focused.”
Celebrating Temple Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum
At the finish line, Bike Tour participants, family friends and the general public are invited to a celebration of Temple Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum! For individuals only planning to attend the Ambler Campus Celebration, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event is free, but we do ask that they register.
The celebration will include guided tours of the campus gardens provided by the Ambler Arboretum, inflatable games and family-friendly activities, delicious food truck and ice cream cart options and opportunities to meet and interact with our sponsors.
Fox Chase Cancer Center will have their Temple Health Mobile Screening Unit available for all participants. Among its services, the Mobile Screening Unit brings breast cancer screenings right into the community. This service will be available to cyclists and the surrounding community on the day of the Bike Tour — the entire process takes about 15 minutes. Please note: You will need a prescription from your doctor if you want a mammogram on the Mobile Screening Unit. Learn more about the Mobile Health Screening Unit.
Neighborhood Bike Works will be taking part in the finish line celebration with kid-friendly activities.
There will additionally be a lively Beer Garden hosted by Well Crafted Beer Company in Ambler Borough! Cyclists 21 and over will receive one free beer ticket — additional beverages will be available for purchase.
“What I love about this bike tour is the fact that it is an accessible tour,” said Holly Lynn, Assistant Director of Campus and Student Engagement at Temple Ambler and a member of the Bike Tour Committee. “It’s a greenway tour from Philadelphia to Ambler that is accessible to our students, our alumni, staff members and community members from throughout the region, affording them that opportunity to discover these different spaces.”
Lynn is an avid cyclist with “a long history of biking with my family.”
“I have a lot of wonderful memories of doing very long bike trips with my parents and extended family. I'm excited to be part of the starting line and finish line activities to bring that excitement to the event,” she said. “That spirit before something kicks off or celebrating something that has just been achieved This amazing environmental and outdoor wellness experience needs that kind of energy.”
As of this publication, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Chestnut Hill Hospital, Absolutely Apropos, RDS Vending, Bergey's Ford, Temple Health Ft. Washington, Piscitello Bicycle Law Advocates, the Schiel Family Foundation, the Temple University Alumni Association, The Larry DiFranco Team at Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, MJ Kirkpatrick and Dr. Vicki Lewis McGarvey proudly sponsor the Temple University Bike Tour.
Additional Bike Tour support as of this publication is being generously provided by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation; WRTI 90.1; Fairmount Bicycles; and Weavers Way Co-op.
For more information about the Bike Tour or to learn how to become an event sponsor, visit https://ambler.temple.edu/biketour.