Hundreds join the 12th annual CURB Bike Ride

Under clear blue skies, 325 cyclists of all ages converged on the Long Beach Recreation Center parking lot for the 12th annual CURB Bike Ride. What started more than a decade ago as the dream of three 14-year old boys to cycle around Long Beach has grown into an annual city event that has raised more than $103,000 for Citizens United to Remove Barriers. CURB is a local non-profit organization that works to build ramps, supply equipment, and raise community awareness of the ongoing needs of the physically challenged.

Long Beach residents Matt Demerest, Casey Kantor and Billy Papetti organized the First Annual CURB Bike Ride in the summer of 2004, with the help of CURB founder Jim Conlon, gathering a group of 26 friends to cycle around Long Beach Island. Jim died unexpectedly a few days before that first event, so they have dedicated the ride every year to his memory. Over the years, through a combination of word of mouth, local media publicity and social media, the event has grown, attracting locals and out-of-towners alike. This year’s event alone raised $13,000 to help CURB fulfill its mission.

Before the riders took off, Demerest, Kantor and Papetti took a moment to acknowledge participants and sponsors who have supported this special cause over the years, both with cash and in-kind donations. Special thanks went out to CoEnterprise, E. Van Creations, Hamlet Investment Services, Key Foods of East Park Ave., LB Embroidery, and The Joe Sinnona Team at Verdeschi Realty.

With the help of a full police escort, bikers safely meandered through the streets of Long Beach as onlookers honked, waved and cheered them on.

For many, the event was a real family affair. Young families rode with babies in child seats, or towed them in trailers. The Resnick family of Long Beach rode with Team Viscardi, representing the Henry Viscardi School and the Viscardi Center for adults and children with disabilities in Albertson, N.Y.

Looping around the barrier island, the riders finished up at the Long Beach Recreation Center for complimentary food and a chance to win raffle prizes.

In past years CURB has supplied ramps, rails, chair lifts, elevators and scooters to Long Island residents. CURB has also lent support to the Long Island Center for Independent Living, Nassau County Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, the Viscardi Center and the Wounded Warrior Project in Long Beach.

CURB by the numbers

• More than $103,000 raised in past 12 years
• 1,230 unique riders in past 12 years
• 3,250 T-shirts donated by L.B. Embroidery and E. Van Creations in past 12 years
• 45 boxes of pizza donated this year by Bel Aire, East End and West End pizzerias
• 22 Long Beach police, special and auxiliary police volunteers
• 36 sponsors lent their support
• 25 volunteers helped with registration, raffles, hot dogs and more