The Florence BiciFi 2017 Bicycle Festival

April 21 – 23: BiciFI

The festival promises a jam-packed weekend focused on the human-powered vehicle.

Starting on Friday, April 21 the Expo Village Cascine Park will open, displaying all the latest bicycle accessories, frames, and clothing along with food for sale. For the curious onlooker or enthusiast there will also be bike shows and tests. Kids are also welcome as there will be a children’s area with a sporting course designed for toddlers managed by Decathlon.

On Saturday, April 22, races will be taking place throughout the entire day with the first one beginning before dawn at 6 am where bikers get to tour the streets of Florence without the usual traffic. Saturday will also kick off the first track cycling race of the year open to amateurs.

The day will close with the family-friendly Velonotte art bike ride through Florence’s historical landmarks with built-in stops where the cyclists will get to watch theatrical performances, mini-shows, and interactive flash mobs and all the while getting onsite commentary by historian Franco Cardini. This year, a portion of registration proceeds will be donated to CBM Italy Onlus, a charity that helps children in developing countries dealing with childhood blindness.

On Sunday, April 23, the Granfondo Florence De Rosa invites bikers to take off from Piazza Signoria to follow 130 km of curves through Fiesole and Mugello and end along the “wall” of Via Salviati, followed by an awards ceremony and a pasta party.

Registration is now open on www.granfondofirenze.it. (martha gonzalez)