On a mission to pedal their way to the 2025 Youth Bike Summit in Boston, a dedicated group of teenagers from the El Puente Bike Club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has set their sights beyond the city's skyline. With the summit scheduled to start soon, these NYC teens have decided to bike from New Haven to Boston, traversing multiple state lines to promote cycling, sustainability, and youth empowerment. Their journey is set to begin with a train ride to New Haven, where they will pedal through Connecticut, Rhode Island, and finally into Massachusetts. According to CBS News, the group finalized their plans and preparations, ready to embark on a trip that not only challenges them physically, but also carries with it an important message.
It's not just about the distance, but also what the journey represents. Sixteen-year-old Raymond Moreno told CBS News, "It's a great way to get out of the city and see places that you normally wouldn't see, like, taking a car." With an emphasis on embracing green transportation, these teens hope to be the only group in the country cycling to the summit this year. Their preparations included not only grueling training sessions but also creative ventures like making art to raise awareness of sustainability and operating a bike pumping station at the Five Boro Bike Tour.
The El Puente Bike Club, a product of the local community, proudly promotes environmental consciousness and leadership among youth through the mechanical and liberating world of biking. As one of the initiatives stemming from the city Department of Transportation’s Bike to School program, the club was established with the underlying purpose of increasing adult bike riding within Latino communities of color. Joe Matunis, the founder and director, expressed in an interview with Greenpointers, a desire for students to "not only learn about bikes — how they work, how to ride them safely — but also to experience the joy and freedom that comes from exploring the city on two wheels."
The group is also focused on strengthening, the individual member's confidence while exploring the implications of climate justice via biking. They've been busy hosting fundraisers to support their endeavor, with a recent tire-pumping station effort at the 5 Boro Bike Tour aiding them in reaching their goal of $1,200 per rider, as reported by Greenpointers. This collective endeavor draws attention to the more extensive systemic issue of transportation equity, highlighting areas where accessible bike lanes are notably absent, particularly in Black and Latino communities.
As they make their final preparations, the atmosphere among the young riders is palpable with "a mix of nerves and excitement," as described by CBS News. Reflecting on the physical and mental demands of such a journey, 16-year-old Karly Rosa conveyed her pride to CBS News in completing last year's trip and the forthcoming challenge ahead, stating, "It was tiring mentally and physically, but I'm just proud that I could do it."
