At NYC Velo, we believe that cycling is about more than machinery, it’s about being involved in the community through outreach and advocacy. To the staff at NYC Velo, cycling is not just a hobby but a lifestyle that has health, social, and environmental benefits. The entire NYC Velo staff is committed to bicycling to work daily.
We are members of Transportation Alternatives, a local nonprofit group that advocates bicycling, walking, and sensible transportation in the New York area. Transportation Alternatives is a great resource for cyclists – they have news on current events, information and maps to make getting around the city by bicycle easier, and statistics on crashes at intersections (see www.crashstat.org), in addition to advocacy campaigns. NYC Velo encourages its customers to become members of Transportation Alternatives. As a Transportation Alternatives supporter, we have established a program where you will receive 10% off at the store on select product lines.
Critical Mass is a monthly event at cities around the world where bicyclists ride en masse to exercise their right to the road. Critical Mass is a movement, not an organization, and has no formal leadership. In Manhattan, Critical Mass rides are the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at Union Square Park North. In Brooklyn, they are the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Grand Army Plaza at the north end of Prospect Park.
Each summer, NYC Velo sponsors the Journey of Hope, a cross-country bicycle trek to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope riders are divided into three teams of about 35, each taking a different route from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC over the course of about two months. After biking an average of 75-80 miles each day, riders make advocacy presentations, participate in community events, and visit with people with disabilities. Their efforts reach 50 million people annually through media and community events and raise over $400,000.
In addition to bicycle advocacy, NYC Velo advocates sustainable living through intelligent choices. To the extent possible, we reuse and recycle materials and use biodegradable solvents and cleaners in our repair shop.