Bicycle rides to discover urban art in El Barrio

Giselle Guerrero hasn’t put her bike down since her dad taught her to pedal it as a child. It is her favorite form of transportation and, according to her, one of the best ways to exercise: “I love it. I feel a feeling like ‘I did it’. Wow, my body is more than something physical, it’s something that helps us, is strong and powerful. “

That is why he is now a bicycle guide after having done a course with El Barrio Bikes. El Barrio Bikes is an organization of the City Department of Health that conducts guided bike tours in East Harlem: “So that the community can explore with the bicycle because we know that there is a high percentage of people who have diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity in the community, “Guerrero details.

This year Giselle created a street art tour of El Barrio. The route has 12 stops and each person can do it in their own time. Due to the pandemic, Giselle is not yet as a guide and that is why she put together a map with the route that cyclists should take: “What a beautiful way for you to see art in your community and also to ride a bicycle; it is something you can do with your family. I’m going to do it myself, with my family with my niece and my sister, “she explains.

She says that the inclusion in languages ​​was a main reason for offering her time as a guide: “It was very important that the route was in Spanish and in English. Because I grew up in a family where my mother and father hardly spoke English. Sometimes for the non-English speaking community, the options are limited by the language. “

She explains that she is also motivated to teach the community the safe ways to practice cycling: “For me, something that everyone should have on their bicycle is the bell. The bell can save your life. Your lights are also very important. You must have the white light in front and the red light in the back. helmet, your case is very important. “

The street art tour is free and will be available throughout the month of May. For more information or to register you can visit the website: elbarriobikes.com

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