Last Saturday, several hundred cyclists gathered in Greenpoint to participate in the inaugural Brooklyn Bike Rave, a fundraiser for the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. Participants wrapped neon lights around their bikes and synchronized their bike speakers to a shared playlist. Starting at dusk, they rode seven miles from Greenpoint to DUMBO.
The funds raised from the ride went to support the development of a 14-mile bike path that will run along the waterfront from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge. It started in 1998 when a group of grassroots activists proposed it as an alternative to highway construction.
New York City's Department of Transportation officially approved the Greenway project in 2010. The project has grown since then to 23 capital projects. They will cost $100-200 million and will include including green spaces, bike lanes and stormwater infrastructure to help reduce the release of raw sewage into the East River.
The rave attracted avid bikers from all over New York City and from as far as Memphis, Tennessee.
Kerry Duke, who rides over 100 miles each week came from Crown Heights. Corinne Ceccarelli came from Long Island, while Lenin Paulino came with friends from The Bronx.
Memphis residents Buddy Warren, 60, and his wife said they traveled to participate in the ride because they used to live in Park Slope in the 80s. He recalled how dangerous it was to bike back then.
"It's so cool how it's gotten cleaner and safer now," he said.
