The Millvale Summer Kickoff and Bike Rally is an annual, youth-focused community celebration and bicycle giveaway. The event works to promote and encourage bike safety, provide bikes and bike accessories for children who cannot afford them, and promote the Millvale Community Library as a community connector and resource center for all ages.
According to Love My Neighbor! grantee Jeff Carr, The Millvale Summer Kickoff and bike rally “promotes community togetherness.” More than just a free bike giveaway, Carr describes the event as “the flagship youth-oriented community gathering of the year.”
“This celebration represents the town’s commitment to our youth’s safety, sensibility, and quality of life. We want the kids to know how much we care, and we love seeing folks of all ages from around town coming together to participate in a fun event that promotes bike safety and sustainable lifestyles.” – Jeff Carr, Love My Neighbor! Grantee
In its 3rd year of operation, the rally took place this year on June 8th on Grant Street at the Millvale Community Library. At least 40 bikes and helmets were given away to Millvale youth, but the event also featured entertainment, crafts, and bike safety information. The entire street was even closed off to provide space for kids to practice proper safety techniques while riding their bikes through an obstacle course! Not only does the event promote safe bicylce use throughout the community, but it also encourages the use of bike lanes across the city as an accessible, sustainable mode of transportation. This further advances Millvale’s dedication to becoming an ecodistrict and supporting sustainable, eco-friendly practices across the city!
Comments from Attendees
“What I love most about it is how it grows every year and has become a true community event. We could not do this event every year without Chief Tim Komoroski and the Millvale Police Department, Millvale Borough, Danielle at Tupelo Honey Teas, Mike at The Wheel Mill, Jeff Carr, and so many of our wonderful community friends and partners. I’m honored to be in such a wonderful, caring community.”
“Seeing the kids’ faces is just so important; they are so thrilled to get a bike.”
