Donating Bikes to Underserved Communities

Children picking out bicycles during last year’s donation event in Staten Island. Photo Credit: NYC DOT

Staten Islanders From Underserved Communities in the Borough As Well as Persons Seeking Asylum Will Receive the Donated/Refurbished Bicycles for the Third Year in a Row

After Doubling the Amount of Donations in 2024 From the Year Prior, This Year’s 253 Figure More Than Quadruples the Initial Donation Figure in 2023 As the Program Continues To Grow

NYC DOT partnered with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and community partners for the third year in a row to distribute donated and refurbished bicycles to adults and youth from underserved communities on Staten Island, as well as asylum seekers. NYC DOT and officials from Bike New York, the NYPD, the Staten Island FerryHawks, and Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH)/Northwell will distribute the bikes before tonight’s game between the FerryHawks against the Lancaster Stormers. Project Hospitality/El Centro Del Inmigrante, the College of Staten Island, Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell, and the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) will also be on hand to receive a share of the bicycles. To date, over 450 bikes have been donated and donations this year quadrupled from 2023, with 253 bikes donated this year.

NYC DOT held 12 collection events over six Saturdays earlier this year across the borough, double the number of events last year, allowing Staten Islanders to donate bikes for all ages and in all conditions. Bike New York then spent the next few months refurbishing the bikes and making any necessary repairs. The FerryHawks stored the bikes each week at the SIUH Community Park as they were being collected and also once they were refurbished. Those who donated bikes were given two FerryHawks game tickets for each donated bike. Two additional leading Staten Island institutions, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden and Wagner College, participated in the program by opening their facilities for donations drop-offs. 

NYPD Borough Command asked its four local precincts to identify underserved communities in their commands and individuals who would benefit from a newly refurbished bike. Residents from each of the communities were on hand today to receive the bikes outside the stadium, alongside local precinct commanders. 

About Bike New York

Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free bike education programs throughout New York City. Bike New York teaches bike education and safety skills to thousands of kids and adults each year. Funding for these programs comes from numerous annual events, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour and regional rides like Discover Hudson Valley and the Twin Lights Ride. For more information, visit www.bike.nyc. 

About Project Hospitality

Project Hospitality has served Staten Island for over 30 years, providing soups kitchens, food pantries, youth programs, domestic violence intervention and so many other services to help those in need. As asylum seekers arrive in New York City in high numbers, Project Hospitality is of course at the forefront offering a helping hand on this initiative to see that a portion of the donated bicycles were given to El Centro Del Inmigrante to get to those who could use the refurbished bikes for work, transportation, or recreation.  

About COJO

The Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island is a Jewish umbrella agency that is the central coordinating, convenor, and resource body and agency for over 60 affiliated member organizations serving the Staten Island community. Since its inception in 1967, COJO’s mission has been to identify and address the needs of the disadvantaged, alleviate the plight of the poor, and serve as the beacon of the Jewish community on various communal issues. COJO also is strong supporter of interfaith and intercommunal relations and cooperative ventures thereby advocating for the enhancement of the quality of life for the needs of all Staten Islanders.