Bike MS 2026 makes successful return to Manhattan's West Side

They were cruising for a cause.

More than 2,000 riders hit the streets of the West Side for the Bike MS fundraising event.

The nonprofit National Multiple Sclerosis Society organizes charity bike rides across the country each year to raise money that goes toward MS research and helping individuals living with MS.  

Participants pedaled off from Pier 76 and biked for either 30 or 50 miles.

CBS News New York's John Elliott was out there Sunday morning and spoke to Dr. Douglas Landsman, the organization's vice president of research, who said funding goes toward the search for a cure.

"We're getting much closer. Right now, there are a number of disease-modifying treatments for people living with MS. We've made a lot of progress understanding what's going on. We have a little bit more work to do to get a cure, an ultimate end to MS," Landsman said.

In addition to raising money for research, the funds go toward improving access to personalized and affordable high-quality MS healthcare.

CBS News New York is proud to support Bike MS and even had a team riding in the event.

When is Bike MS in NYC?

The start line chute opened to riders at 6 a.m. Opening ceremonies and announcements took place at 7:15 a.m., and cyclists took off from the start line at 7:30 a.m.

Access to the starting line was closed at 8 a.m.

Once cyclists reached the Inwood Hill rest stop, they were held there for about 45 minutes. They begin arriving at the finish line at around 9:45 a.m.

A finish line festival was held at Pier 76 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Bike MS NYC route maps

The route started at Pier 76 on the West Side Highway between 35th and 36th streets. Participants took part in either a 30-mile route or a 50-mile route.

The 30-mile route took cyclists around the southern tip of Manhattan, then north along the East Side to Inwood. After stopping at the Inwood Hill rest area, cyclists traveled south along the West Side back to Pier 76.

Cyclists who opted for the 50-mile route crossed the George Washington Bridge after leaving the Inwood Hill rest area and headed north along the Hudson River in New Jersey to Alpine. In Alpine, riders looped back down south, crossed over the GWB into the city and continued the route south to Pier 76.

Street closures in Manhattan on Sunday for Bike MS

According to the city Department of Transportation, the following streets will be closed at the discretion of the police department: 

• West Street (Southbound) between West 54th Street and Battery Park Underpass
• Battery Park Underpass (South tube) between West Street and FDR Drive
• FDR Drive (Northbound) between Battery Park Underpass and Harlem River Drive
• Harlem River Drive (Northbound) between FDR Drive and 10th Avenue
• 10th Avenue between Harlem River Drive and West 218th Street
• West 218th Street between 10th Avenue and Indian Road
• Indian Road between West 218th Street and West 214th Street
• 214th Street between Indian Road and Seaman Avenue
• Seaman Avenue between West 214th Street and Riverside Drive
• Riverside Drive between Seaman Avenue and Henry Hudson Parkway
• Henry Hudson Parkway / Joe DiMaggio Highway / West Street (Southbound) between Riverside Drive and West 54th Street
• West 43rd Street between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue/West Street
• West 40th Street between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue/West Street
• 12th Avenue/West Side Highway between West 34th Street and West 43rd Street
• West 59th Street between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue
• West End Avenue between West 59th Street and West 72nd Street
• West 72nd Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive
• Riverside Drive between West 72nd Street and West 165th Street

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said no bridges or tunnels will be completely closed for the event, but the following detours will be in place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday:

• Henry Hudson Bridge: There will be no access for Manhattan-bound traffic to the southbound Henry Hudson Bridge from the Mosholu Parkway.
• Hugh L. Carey Tunnel: All traffic exiting the tunnel in Manhattan will be detoured northbound onto West Street or through the Trinity Place exit, which will remain open.  
• RFK Bridge: The northbound FDR Drive and Harlem River Drive will be closed. All Manhattan-bound traffic crossing the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge will be detoured onto the southbound FDR Drive or 125th Street.

More information can be found at BikeMS.org.