Go Dutch! Miami's Orange Bike-in Festival

Commodore Plaza during 2010's Coconut Grove Bike Day.

Ahhh, I remember our Coconut Grove Bike Days so well, but now the event, which is much bigger is held in downtown Miami.

GO DUTCH! Orange Bike-in Festival, Miami’s largest Queen’s Day celebration is back on Friday, April 26. The bicycle event is put on by the Omni Parkwest Redevelopment Association, The Miami Bike Scene, and Grolsch Premium Lager. The venue is Grand Central Park (700 N. Miami Avenue).

Hundreds, maybe thousands of cyclists will be out and about enjoying the event. It coincides with Miami Critical Mass, which is the last Friday of each month. Even if you don't come out for the Critical Mass rides, this is an event not to be missed. There's a Critical Mass after party in celebration of Dutch culture. 

Orange is the Dutch color, so you are asked to wear orange and a crazy Dutch-inspired costume at that. The craziest costume will win a brand new fixed gear bicycle by Republic Bike. You must arrive on bike and be wearing Dutch inspired attire to enter the orange costume contest.

The festival coinicides with the monthly Critical Mass ride which starts at Goverment Center, and if you get to Government Center early, you can get an orange Dutch t-shirt for free. There are only 800 shirts, provided by Grolsch, so first come, first served. These shirts will entitle participants to $4.00 specials on Grolsch 16 oz. beers at the park.

Keep in mind that the ride will not end at Government Center like it usually does. It will end at Grand Central Park for the celebration. The celebration is from 7 to 11 pm, cycliests from Critical Mass are expected to start arriving about 8:20 pm, coming in from the ride.

Admission is free and all bar proceeds go to Grand Central Park for improvements and maintenance to the facility. There will be food, drinks, and music provided by DJ DZA for a special "Peachfuzz in the park."

Green Mobility Network will be providing a free bicycle valet on a first come first served basis. Bike valet space is limited so there will be other on-site parking, where you can lock your bike up.

Miami Bike Polo will be holding exhibition games and there will be skate and BMX freestyle sessions at the new DIY skate park area of Grand Central Park.

The Magic City Bicycle Collective will have a table and repair stand set up. They will demonstrate simple bike care and do minor bike repairs and maintenance. It's free, but you can tip them of course.