Bike Riders Prepare for Ride for Missing Children
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: March 5, 2013
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is holding its annual Ride for Missing Children on Friday, May 17.
Together, a group of 350 pledged bike riders take on a 100-mile ride to spread awareness.
In the weeks leading up to the event, riders train by taking spin classes. News 8 caught up with some of them on Tuesday morning at Eastside YMCA in Penfield.
"The National Center for Missing Children is that one organization that if God forbid something does happen, it would be the first to step up and support families," said David John.
David John is just one of the 350 bike riders that will take part in the Ride for Missing Children.
The 100-mile journey is not your typical bike ride. For those who are worried, it's not a race. Cyclists ride together at a team pace and buses are there to help you if needed.
"We have that wonderful spectacle with all these bicycle riders, all wearing the same uniforms, sirens going off from law enforcement to help reinforce those critical safety messages," said Ed Suk, NCMEC/NY Executive Director.
It's not only a fun ride, the idea is to spread awareness. Every 20 miles, bike riders stop at different schools in Monroe County.
"That's electric. For me, that's the fun part of this ride. We go in ahead of time and we provide safety education for the kids in those schools about two weeks ahead of time, it's comprehensive, it's abuse prevention, exploitation prevention, internet safety, cyber bullying prevention," said Suk.
As students and teachers cheer on the riders, staff from the center provides child safety education programs.
"I've always said if you can ride for 20 miles, and take a break, and then ride again, you are going to have a great day during this ride because it's so supportive the whole entire event," said John.
The money raised from the ride stays local and provides not only case assistance but also prevention education services for kids.
"We always have a saying around the center that this isn't really about the bicycle ride itself, it's about protecting kids and you can feel that from the riders," said Suk.
The minimum pledge amount is $300, or recruit a new rider and you both ride for $250 each.
For more information on the 13th Annual Ride for Missing Children, visit www.rideformissingchildren.org
Together, a group of 350 pledged bike riders take on a 100-mile ride to spread awareness.
In the weeks leading up to the event, riders train by taking spin classes. News 8 caught up with some of them on Tuesday morning at Eastside YMCA in Penfield.
"The National Center for Missing Children is that one organization that if God forbid something does happen, it would be the first to step up and support families," said David John.
David John is just one of the 350 bike riders that will take part in the Ride for Missing Children.
The 100-mile journey is not your typical bike ride. For those who are worried, it's not a race. Cyclists ride together at a team pace and buses are there to help you if needed.
"We have that wonderful spectacle with all these bicycle riders, all wearing the same uniforms, sirens going off from law enforcement to help reinforce those critical safety messages," said Ed Suk, NCMEC/NY Executive Director.
It's not only a fun ride, the idea is to spread awareness. Every 20 miles, bike riders stop at different schools in Monroe County.
"That's electric. For me, that's the fun part of this ride. We go in ahead of time and we provide safety education for the kids in those schools about two weeks ahead of time, it's comprehensive, it's abuse prevention, exploitation prevention, internet safety, cyber bullying prevention," said Suk.
As students and teachers cheer on the riders, staff from the center provides child safety education programs.
"I've always said if you can ride for 20 miles, and take a break, and then ride again, you are going to have a great day during this ride because it's so supportive the whole entire event," said John.
The money raised from the ride stays local and provides not only case assistance but also prevention education services for kids.
"We always have a saying around the center that this isn't really about the bicycle ride itself, it's about protecting kids and you can feel that from the riders," said Suk.
The minimum pledge amount is $300, or recruit a new rider and you both ride for $250 each.
For more information on the 13th Annual Ride for Missing Children, visit www.rideformissingchildren.org
