Next weekend is BMAGIC’s annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway, and Bike It Forward will be there giving away bikes to kids and young adults, creating transportation choices for them, sharing the joy of bike riding, and making a significant impact on their lives. It’s one of the feel-good events of the summer for us at SFBike and we can’t wait to see the smiles on these kids’ faces as they try out their new wheels, and we hope you’ll join us as a volunteer so you can see it, too!
BMAGIC is a network of San Francisco neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations that support community members in Bayview Hunters Point and we’ve been working with them to make the bike giveaway a big part of their flagship summer event. We caught up with Moira Dumo Rios, Associate Director for BMAGIC, and asked her a few questions about their work, and how Bike It Forward supports their mission.
How do you see bikes as a force for good in your community, and what active transportation in the Bayview looks like to you in your ideal future?
Bikes promote an active and healthy lifestyle – that’s such an important and positive force for good. They’re also a fun way for youth to get around their neighborhood, get to know the city, and also a great workout. An ideal future with active transportation in the Bayview would include safe bike routes, which would encourage even more people to get out there on bikes.
What are some of your favorite moments from the BMAGIC backpack giveaways every year?
The best part is seeing the joy on the faces of children when they are able to select their brand-new backpack – especially those who win a bike from SF Bike!
What are the biggest benefits and impacts that you’ve seen from your work, and what are your biggest dreams for your programs and events?
We work hard year round to create a positive impact on the lives of young people in Bayview Hunters Point and Fillmore/Western Addition. In addition to our Backpack Giveaways, we partner with several organizations throughout the year to provide fun, safe and educational events for youth. Our biggest dream is to continue this work for many years to come and expand our services – we know how impactful this work is, and we’re always looking to do more!
We’re so excited to join Moira and the entire BMAGIC team this upcoming weekend – and you can help, too! We’re still looking for a few volunteers to help out that day. Sign up below for a shift, and come see the magic happen!
