Celebrate the Festival of Lights With a Bike Ride

The Pittsburgh Chabad and our Jewish friends celebrate Chanukah, the festival of lights, with a Menorah Car Parade.

For the third year in a row, Pgh bicyclists are invited to join the parade, held this year on Sunday, December 21. The event gives members of the community an active way to participate rather than riding their car, and it adds an unusual festive component to the event.

Other cities have copied Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Chanukah Bike Ride. San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago and Brooklyn’s DUMBO all had rides last year.
 

What’s the expectation if you want to participate?

Bring your bike and a light! Some people make DIY menorahs for their bike, but any lit-up bike is consistent with the event. Check out photos from last year’s ride online here and also here.

Please note: our Jewish friends are warmly inviting everybody to join in their celebration which is not a Christmas parade; white lights and blue lights are kosher (to use a phrase) but red-green Christmas tree bikes are off-theme.

The ride departs from the corner of Hobart and Wightman Streets (Squirrel Hill) and rolls 4 miles to Schenley Plaza where a heated tent, festivities and latkes await (mmmm latkes)! The snacks are really very good.

Finally, big news for 2014! Fiks Reflective, Banker Supply, and Sayle Service are donating Chanukah-theme reflective stickers for participating riders. Special Edition bike reflective stickers, not available commercially. Ride organizers are grateful for their attention and willingness to contribute to the safety of the ride.
 

Event Details

Pittsburgh Chanukah Bike Ride
Sunday, December 21
Meet at 4:15 at ride starts promptly at 4:30
Start: Hobart at Wightman Street in Squirrel Hill
End: Schenley Plaza

Check the Facebook event for updates. Questions? Contact Ben Yogman (main contact) at byogman@gmail.com or vbush90@gmail.com.

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