Cyclists from New York and beyond will gather by the thousands this Sunday for the city's largest free cycling event: The 12th annual Tour de Bronx.

For local business and tourism groups, it's a time to get people from Westchester County and New Jersey and beyond to get up close and personal with the Bronx.

Borough President Adolfo Carrión, promoting the occasion as part of his Fit Now health initiative, said, "Tour De Bronx is a healthy way to showcase what Bronxites have always known: The Bronx is a vibrant borough filled with beautiful places to live, work and visit."

Transportation Alternatives, a primary sponsor, said the cycling event is a great way to encourage locals to explore the borough's historic sights, greener parks and cleaner waterfront by means other than a car.

Riders can choose from two routes:

A leisurely 25-mile stretch safely takes cyclists of all types in a police-escorted pack along a sectioned-off course, including a portion of the Sheridan Expressway this year. The path provides several rest stops as it wanders through Mott Haven, Longwood and the Soundview waterfront.

More seasoned riders may find themselves tempted by the 40-mile course, which adds City Island, Orchard Beach, Woodlawn and Riverdale to the sights, but carries extra risk because traffic will not be rerouted for convenience.

The event will conclude at the New York Botanical Garden with the Tour de Bronx Festival, featuring live entertainment and refreshments.

Both courses begin at 10 a.m. at the Bronx County Courthouse at Grand Concourse and E. 161st St. Alternate starting points are set up at Riverdale's Henry Hudson Park (8:15 a.m.), Woodlawn's Metro-North Station (8:30 a.m.), and the Metro-North station at the New York Botanical Garden (9 a.m.).

Free helmets are available for the first 150 children (13 and under) who check in at the sites.

For information, including route and preregistration details, visit www.tourdebronx.org or call the Bronx Tourism Council at (718) 590-3518.