Staten Island Ferryhawks, NYPD, Bike New York, NYC DOT Partner To Donate Bikes To Kids In Underserved Areas

NYC DOT, BIKE NEW YORK, STATEN ISLAND FERRYHAWKS, AND NYPD PARTNER TO DONATE BIKES TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Staten Islanders from underserved communities in the borough will receive the donated and refurbished bicycles for the fourth year in a row

We covered this event last year as well.  Below the video are details of how residents can register to receive a bike next summer, as well as how people can donate bikes they don’t need for next year’s giveaway. Please see below for a video of the press conference and the event where bicycles were donated to local kids and adults who will use them to get to school, work, and play on the island and beyond.  See below the video for details on how you can get involved to either receive a bike or to donate an unused bicycle that you would like to go to someone on the island who needs it:

To receive a bike: People should contact their local precinct to get on the recipient list. NYPD identifies most recipients. PD begins to register recipients after the donation process completes in late March/early April.

To donate a bike: people should contact the NYC DOT Staten Island Borough Commissioner’s Office or drop them off at a bike donation site, which will start again at the beginning of 2027.

See last year’s flyer for an example:

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced that NYC DOT partnered with Bike New York, the Staten Island FerryHawks, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and community partners for the fourth year in a row to distribute donated and refurbished bicycles to adults and youth from underserved communities on Staten Island. NYC DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione and officials from Bike New York, the Staten Island FerryHawks, and the NYPD will distribute the bikes before tonight’s game between the FerryHawks against the Lancaster Stormers. The College of Staten Island, Project Hospitality, The Police Athletic League (PAL), and the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) will also be on hand to receive a share of the bicycles. To date, over 750 bikes have been donated over a four-year period and 240 bikes will be distributed this year.

“Everyone who wants to get around our city by bike should be able to do so, and this program ensures that hundreds of more New Yorkers will now be able to,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Programs like this contribute to building a healthy transportation network that all New Yorkers can benefit from, including our neighbors on Staten Island.”

“Cycling offers an affordable, healthy, and efficient way to get around our city, and we are proud that this donate-a-bike initiative has resulted in 240 bikes being distributed to people in Staten Island this year,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We appreciate this collaboration with the Bike New York, the Staten Island FerryHawks, and the NYPD and look forward to continuing to build our bike network on Staten Island and beyond.”

“Thank you to NYC DOT for their collaboration in this incredible effort to provide transportation and recreation to those in need as we enter the summer months,” said NYPD Staten Island Borough Commander Assistant Chief Melissa Eger. “I would especially like to thank Staten Island Patrol Borough’s Community affairs personnel for their diligent efforts in locating our donation recipients throughout the borough, ranging in age from seven to 84. We appreciate everything you do every day to strengthen ties with the Staten Island community and contribute to a safe Staten Island.”

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NYC DOT held 12 collection events over six Saturdays earlier this year across the borough, 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. Those who donated bikes were given two FerryHawks game tickets for each donated bike.

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.

“On Staten Island, generosity keeps the wheels turning,” said CEO of Bike New York Ken Podziba. “Every bike donated through Keep NYC Moving gets a second life — and gives someone else a fresh start. For a child, that bike can mean a first taste of freedom. For a family, it can provide an affordable way to get around. For others, it can open the door to better health, greater independence, and new opportunities. That’s the magic of this program: neighbors helping neighbors in a way that’s practical, personal, and genuinely life-changing. Bike New York is proud to team up with NYC DOT, the NYPD, the FerryHawks, our incredible community partners, and generous supporters like TD and Amazon to prove that when Staten Islanders come together, they’re always scoring for the home team.”

“The FerryHawks have taken pride each year in working with the community on impactful programming,” said Staten Island FerryHawks Executive Vice President Gary Perone. “We are especially grateful to DOT’s Roseann Caruana and Bike New York’s Ken Podziba in partnering on a great initiative for the Staten Island community as together as we get ready to kick off an exciting summer here at Staten Island University Hospital ‘COMMUNITY PARK. “On behalf of the organization and the Catsimatidis Family, we look forward to seeing all the smiles ride away on their new bicycles from the park!”

“Creating healthier communities goes beyond the walls of the hospital, it starts with meeting people where they are and giving them the tools to thrive,” said Senior Vice President & Hospital President at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital Meagan Sills. “We are proud to once again support this initiative and help expand access to safe, reliable transportation for members of our community. A bicycle may seem simple, but it can open doors to greater independence, encourage physical activity, and strengthen connections across Staten Island. We are grateful to be part of an effort that continues to make such a meaningful difference year after year.”

“Project Hospitality shares these bikes with homeless Staten Island teenager who live in our youth shelters, go to our high schools, and are trying to find employment so they can live on their own,” said Project Hospitality President/CEO Reverend Dr. Terry Troia. “Our kids live on the very margins of our society. These bikes get them to where they have to go from the streets to stable and safe housing.”

“I truly have to thank NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn and Staten Island Borough Commissioner Roseann Caruana for collaborating with the FerryHawks and with many important Staten Island community partners in making this year’s Donate a Bike campaign a reality,” said Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) President Mendy Mirocznik. “By continuing to work together, we have fostered an even stronger environment of collaboration and have re-upped an Island-wide project that permits the people of Staten Island to see tangible results once again. The smiles of the happy children and teenagers receiving these bikes is truly rewarding and deeply gratifying. We feel it more so especially now that school is about to close for summer break and the positive feeling of joy is priceless. Once again, the people of Staten Island have come together in fellowship, unity and friendship and truly have made this Island a better place.”

“At PAL, we see every day how programs like Donate-A-Bike offer something as simple as a bike and can create independence, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen a young person’s connection to their community,” said Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City CEO Carlos Velazquez. “Programs like this are about more than just bikes — they’re about opportunity, confidence, and making sure young people in every neighborhood have access to experiences that keep them active, connected, and engaged. We’re proud to partner with the NYC Department of Transportation to help make that possible for more families across New York City.”

“There is a lot of Staten Island to see and experience – our beautiful parks, beaches, and Boardwalk, to name a few – especially as we move into the summer months,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.  “A bike is a good, healthy way to experience Staten Island, and to otherwise travel throughout our City. We thank those who donated their bikes to this good cause, and we thank DOT and all involved for giving those in need an opportunity to own and enjoy a bike.”

“For the past four years, this initiative has created real opportunities for Staten Island families,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks. “Thank you to the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City Police Department, and our community partners who have worked to collect, refurbish, and distribute these bicycles. Learning to ride a bike is one of the great childhood experiences, giving young people freedom, confidence, and a way to explore their community. For residents of all ages, biking is also a reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to commute throughout our city.

“At a time when many families are navigating financial challenges, programs like this can have a meaningful impact,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall. “Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy the summer safely, stay active, and experience the simple joy and freedom that comes with riding a bike. Efforts like this are an investment in our children, our families, and the strength of our community. I’m incredibly grateful to NYC DOT, NYPD, the Staten Island FerryHawks, Staten Island University Hospital, and all of our community partners for coming together to make a difference in the lives of so many families.”

“El Centro is so grateful to receive these bikes for our community,” said El Centro Executive Director Michelle Molina. “Many of our neighbors do not have the means to buy a car, and in some areas, commuting to work means taking two buses. These bikes provide a free, healthy, and reliable transportation option that helps people get to their jobs and provide for their families. It’s a wonderful idea—better for our health, better for our wallets, and better for our neighborhoods.”

Banner Image: Bike donations at a previous event. Image Credit – NYC DOT