BY TEQUILA MINSKY | BAMRA (Bleecker Area Merchants’ and Residents’ Association), Community Board 2 and LMNO(P) co-sponsored a Kids’ Learn To Ride afternoon at Mercer Playground on Sat., Sept. 20.
With instruction provided by Bike New York, 31 local children, ages 5 to 12, from the West Village to the East Village had the chance to ride a bike for the first time or — if they already had some cycling experience — hone their balancing and pedaling skills. The event was scheduled for two hours but was extended to three.
Some of the tykes came with their own bikes. But once it was clear there would be a shortage, one organizer ran to Kmart and bought a small two-wheeler that was shared among the newbies for practice. The bike — along with a helmet — was sold to one of the parents afterward.
One of the techniques used for children who have never bicycled before is to push off and practice balancing on a bike with its pedals removed. Once the child appears comfortable with balance, the pedals are put back on. Ray Cline, BAMRA resident chairperson, spent the afternoon taking off and putting on pedals.
“Eight to nine children who had never been on a bicycle before learned to ride,” said instructor Cecilia Casey, of Bike New York.
The event had a Parks Department permit.
