Pedal for Prizes Turns 15: Old Brooklyn’s Favorite Ride Returns
On May 17th, Pedal for Prizes is back for its 15th year! This beloved neighborhood bike-riding event has grown from a few dozen riders in its first year to about 500 in recent years, becoming one of the largest free cycling events in Northeast Ohio. Every spring, community members embark on a group bike ride through the Old Brooklyn neighborhood, visiting local businesses and other landmark spots to collect raffle tickets for the chance to win unique prizes, including brand new bicycles.
Pedal for Prizes was started in 2010 by John Young junior, owner of Speed Exterminating, as a way to drum up neighborhood pride and to promote local businesses. Since its inception, the annual event has been an entirely grassroots effort; local businesses and nonprofits either serve as destinations along the route or donate raffle prizes, and the affair is coordinated every year by an all-volunteer neighborhood group. This homegrown event is so successful that it has been (and continues to be) replicated in other communities and has become a favorite neighborhood tradition for many.
Partner groups that are key to organizing Pedal for Prizes include Speed Exterminating, Honey Hut Ice Cream, Metropolitan Coffee, Bike Cleveland, Sixth City Cycles, JAC Creative, Kehoe Brothers Printing, Old Brooklyn Families Group, and Cleveland City Councilmembers. Beyond these core organizations, many other small businesses and nonprofits participate in the event, which grows each year. Two of this year’s additions will be The Miscreant and The Muse—a gift and accessory shop for all things strange and unusual—and Foxy Fur Grooming Salon—a pet grooming studio.
The event is a great way to explore Old Brooklyn and to get more in touch with its unique businesses and residents. Pedal for Prizes is free, open to anyone, and welcoming to bikers of all ages; however, it is encouraged that riders under 16 are accompanied by an adult. Participants are also advised to practice good bicycle safety by wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws.
The 2025 Pedal for Prizes will be held (rain or shine) on Saturday, May 17 at Loew Park, which is located at 3121 Oak Park Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44109. Parking is available on streets surrounding the park, or in the William Cullen Bryant Elementary School parking lot, immediately adjacent to the park. Look for Pedal for Prizes signs for directions to the exact location in the park. The event kicks off at 10:00am and the drawing for raffle prizes will start at 2:00pm. Visit pedalforprizes.com for more details, and we can’t wait to see you there!