Update: We just heard the official numbers. In just 3 & 1/2 hours, 585 helmets were given to children and 686 helmets to adults for a total of 1,271 helmets. We understand this to be higher then the number given out last year and that Eastern Queens events give out more helmets then most events across the City.

There was a phenomenal number of neighbors who came out yesterday for the bike helmet giveaway in Flushing.  Well over a hundred people lined up in the cold before the event even started.  Through out the day neighbors kept on coming, snaking a line the entire length of the baseball field three times over.  Last year’s event gave away 1,100 helmets (one of the largest of these events in New York City) and this year’s turn out may have topped even that.  Our neighbors in Eastern Queens really showed that safe cycling is a priority for them.

Thank you very much to Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, Councilman Barry Grodenchik, and Congresswoman Grace Meng for organizing this great event again. Also thank you to the professionals at the New York City Department of Transportation for their efficient and and knowledgeable service.

The Eastern Queens Greenway volunteers were out in full force, talking directly to our neighbors about how cycling, jogging, and walking infrastructure could be improved to create family safe routes to our parkland.  We have some of the most active volunteers, including everyone who supported yesterday’s efforts: Joby, Ben, Leona, Eric, Yehuda, Daniel, Albert, John, and Les (in addition to Brian & Juan supporting us through the technology).

If a small group of dedicated people can change the world, let’s see what a large group can do.