Christine

Middle & High School Participant

Exploring Paths was an enriching experience for me. I was able to expand my bike riding skills and knowledge while meeting people who were just as excited about biking and exercising as me. The bond I created with my mentors and peers during Exploring Paths continues to this day. We motivated and supported each other to keep pedaling up inclines and bridges. Along the way, we learned more about each other passions and backgrounds. I came into each of our rides filled with anticipation of where we would go. It was the highlight of my week. We explored familiar areas of the city and unfamiliar areas. The facts we learned about each destination gave me a new perspective about the city that I have lived in all my life. The memories I’ve made were eyeopening and will be treasured forever.

Tracy

Middle & High School Participant

Before joining Exploring Paths, I had no idea how to ride a bike. However, the program dedicated time and effort to ensure that every participant was on equal footing before even stepping out into the streets. Through Exploring Paths, not only did I learn how to ride a bike, but I also learned how to bike safely. For example, the program taught us basic signals that they would later utilize on the streets to tell us when to stop, turn, or go. We also had practice sessions indoors to help us learn how to maneuver through cones and other obstacles. Exploring Paths provided each student with a bike and a helmet on every ride. Thus, even though I didn’t own a bike, through the program I was able to bike to many places such as across the Williamsburg Bridge, to a beautiful garden in Brooklyn, and so much more. Exploring Paths really played an integral part in getting me out into the streets and actively exploring what New York had to offer.