Santa Claus Is Coming to Town — By Bike

Santa rides his bike during the 2015 Santa Claus Bike Ride.

By Jonathan Sperling

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and … bicycle?

Look out for Santa early this year, as Ciclistas Latinoamericanos de New York and other community groups host the annual Santa Claus Bike Ride in East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Corona on Sunday, Dec. 2.

The Santa Claus Bike Ride encourages participants to dress up in their most festive Christmas-themed costumes — that means elves, reindeer and snowmen — before taking to the streets on bicycles for a refreshing winter ride.

But don’t fear the cold: attendees will have a chance to sip hot chocolate and coffee, as well as enjoy some treats at the end of the ride. Plus, temperatures are forecasted to reach into the 60s on Sunday.

Participants will begin the bike ride at 9:45 a.m. at Gorman Playground, located at 30th Avenue and 85th Street in East Elmhurst. Cyclists will then make use of the bike lanes on 34th Avenue and 30st Avenue to travel through East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Corona, before eventually stopping at Northern Playground at Northern Boulevard and 94th Street in Jackson Heights and later Gorman Playground.

Along with Ciclistas Latinoamericanos de New York, the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, Queens Bike Initiative and Make Queens Safer will also help to host the free event.

Participants can register for the event by visiting https://bit.ly/2E0QV6t. All ages are welcome, but children under 5 should ride with their parents with a tag-a-long bicycle attached, or any seat attached to their parent’s bike.