Residents of all ages gathered at Baldwin Park on May 16 for the Baldwin Civic Association’s annual Community Bike Rodeo and Parade. This event focused on bicycle safety, environmental awareness and strengthening community ties.
The Baldwin Civic Association, joined with the Nassau County Legislature Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé and Legislator Scott M. Davis, held this community event to teach young children about bicycle safety with educational activities and a community bike ride as summer approaches. Members of the Nassau County Police Department were also involved in this event.
“It’s a way to bring the community together and have an interaction between the civic association, members of the community, families, local police and others within the community,” Baldwin Civic Association president Kimberly Malone said. “We’re always providing opportunities for neighbors to get to know neighbors.”
A part of the event was to allow participants to become familiar with local businesses and explore different parts of Baldwin. Malone explained that the event was to inspire a desire to be sustainable and have environmental awareness to all ages throughout the community.
“We are hoping that in the future we can consider getting actual bike lanes in Baldwin,” Malone said. “This will encourage sustainability and environmental awareness.”
A major focus of the Bike Rodeo and Parade was to teach children about safe cycling habits before summer begins. Local police officers also explained proper helmet safety to the children and worked along young riders who are still learning to ride a bike.
“At the beginning of the bike parade, we have local police officers that actually teach the children about bike safety,” Malone said. “They teach them about wearing their helmets and other things related to bike safety. They even help some of the students learn how to ride a bike.”
Malone expressed that she hopes the event inspired children to want to be more involved in their community and more conscious of protecting the environment.
“Community isn’t just a given — community is created,” she said. “There’s a need to participate and also to give back and to be creative within their own community.”
As Baldwin continues to grow and evolve, organizers hope the annual Bike Rodeo and Parade will continue to bring families together while fostering a strong sense of community.
