New York City Initiative Provides Free Bicycles to Asylum Seekers and Immigrants

It was with joy and enthusiasm that a group of asylum seekers received a free bicycle this Wednesday in Brooklyn.

Anderson Villacres, who arrived from Ecuador almost two months ago, was one of the first to receive one.

For this immigrant, the eldest of five siblings and the only one in his family who is outside his country, with this bicycle it will be easier for him to get around the city.

Villacres.

“Look for more work, move from one place to another, be able to stabilize myself a little better, have a place to live and according to that also be able to fix things there with my family, that’s why I’m here,” said Villacres.

The bike distribution is part of the pilot initiative, ‘Unlimited Biking’, launched by the Department of Transportation and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).

Their goal is to distribute free bicycles that are donated and repaired to asylum seekers and other recently arrived immigrants in New York City.

“They show that New Yorkers want to support new New Yorkers. This donation is a symbol of the welcome that New York is giving to our immigrant communities,” said Manuel Castro, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

“This year, hundreds of New Yorkers donated their bikes to help asylum seekers get around our city.

“Today, we join @bikenewyork @NYC_DOT to announce the distribution of completely renovated 🚲 to our new neighbors.

“We thank @bikenewyork and our community partners for this effort!”, also read a message on social networks on the account of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

This year, hundreds of New Yorkers donated their bikes to help asylum seekers navigate our City.

Today, we joined @bikenewyork @NYC_DOT to announce the distribution of fully refurbished 🚲 to our new neighbors.

We thank @bikenewyork and our community partners for this effort! pic.twitter.com/E05YqgFpcX

— NYC Immigrant Affairs (@NYCImmigrants) June 29, 2023

The initiative plans to distribute a total of 200 bikes this summer to various nonprofit organizations in the city.

The first distribution, of 20 bikes, took place in front of the Mixteca Organization in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

“Most of the people who receive it today are people who have already finished OSHA, they already have OSHA certification, they can look for work,” explained Lorena Kourousias, executive director of Mixteca. those who still don’t have and go to work.”

And to make sure these new cyclists ride safely on our city streets, the Department of Transportation donated helmets, locks, and lights for their bikes.

If you have a bicycle that you would like to donate you can visit the website unlimitedbiking.com for more information.

2023-06-28 23:55:00
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