Bicycles will be rolling through the streets of Bayonne on an 8-mile course to raise awareness concerning the issue of domestic violence as well as raise funds for Women Rising Inc., a community based organization dedicated to providing programs for women and families.
Women Rising has two centers, one in Jersey City and another in Bayonne.
According to organizer Janet K. Hall, a sales representative for Weichert Realtors, this will be the first of what she hopes will become an annual event, and will be attractive because it will provide many opportunities for participants to win prizes.
The ride will start at 9 a.m. on June 25 at South Cove Commons where bicyclists 10 years and older, amateur or professional, can participate.
Competition will be divided in age and gender categories, and prizes will be awarded to the first three cyclists in each category to cross the finish line as well as awarded to overall winners in each categories – for a total of more than 80 prizes overall.
All proceeds from the event – less operating expenses – will be donated to Women Rising to be specifically used for its domestic violence program.
Although others are still coming on, sponsors to date include Bayonne Community News, Forum Fitness Club, Bayonne Community Bank, the realtors of South Cove Commons, Rotary Club of Bayonne, Super Shop & Stop, Tropicana, Subway, McCabe Ambulance Service, Housemaster and South Cove Commons.
“The Alessi family has been very generous,” Hall said. “They asked me what I needed and then made sure we got it.”
Entry fees are $25 for kids and $35 for adults with a $5 discount for early registration. Each participant will receive an event T-shirt, a rider number to be used during the ride, promotional items from the sponsors and refreshments.
Hall hopes that various groups such as schools, youth clubs, sports clubs, gyms, cycle clubs, businesses and other organizations will participate.
Weichert Realtors, Bayonne – which along with sponsors is putting on the event – is soliciting sponsorship from within and outside the community to cover the cost of staging the event.
“We hope people will come out to have fun and raise money for a good cause,” Hall said.