“I Rode for Human Rights and Dignity for Everyone”: Cyclists Raise Awareness and Funds at 7th Annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants

The Mission

It was a day filled with smiles, a little sweat, and a whole lot of hope.  

On October 4, twenty-six members of the IINE community, including staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, pulled on branded cycling jerseys, mounted their bicycles and revved up their pedal power to raise funds and awareness for refugees and immigrants.  

The annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants was launched in 2019 by IINE Board Member and cycling enthusiast Will Krause to bring together seasoned and novice riders, united by their desire to support our newest neighbors. Seven years later, the Ride has continued to grow and has remained an exciting opportunity for members of the IINE community to turn their support into action, taking IINE’s mission out onto the bike trails and roads of Greater Boston. 

For weeks leading up to this year’s big day, riders gathered donations from their personal networks, spreading the word about IINE’s work and raising critical funds to help refugees and immigrants access food, shelter, and healthcare, English language and job skills training, youth mentoring, and immigration legal support. 

Riders spoke passionately about the inspiration that motivated their outreach and powered their leg muscles throughout the day. 

The Routes

Riders chose between two routes. A 12-miler followed a stretch of the Minuteman Bike Path, starting at the Bikeway Source bicycle shop in Bedford, Massachusetts and ending at the Kickstand Café in Arlington. For those seeking a bigger challenge, a 50-mile loop began and ended at the café, sticking mostly to the Minute Man Path with a detour to Lowell, where riders had the opportunity to see IINE’s new community hub and office space. After replenishing their energy with refreshments, 50-milers remounted and headed to Bedford to link up with the 12-milers for the home stretch back to Arlington.  

On a beautiful, sunny but cool fall day, participants rode at their own paces, with designated team leaders guiding the way. Riders’ branded jerseys provided an important visual reminder for everyone they passed that our communities support our refugee and immigrant neighbors. An up-tempo soundtrack bumping from the handlebar speaker of one of IINE’s ESOL teachers helped keep spirits up as riders pedaled up hills and cruised down the final stretch to the finish line.   

The Finish Line

As waves of riders arrived at the Kickstand Café, IINE staff and Board members greeted them with cheers. Snacks and refreshments awaited to help them recover and celebrate. Many riders lingered long after the dismount to cheer on fellow finishers and socialize.  
 
Participants agreed that in a year of continued challenges for refugees and immigrants brought on by sweeping policy changes and aggressive enforcement actions, the Ride provided a much-needed chance to gather as a community, to wear their support with pride, and to bring more people into the effort by gathering donations from their personal networks.  

This year’s Ride for Refugees and Immigrants was the most successful to date. It not only included a record number of 50-mile riders but also raised a record-breaking total of more than $59,000 in much-needed support for IINE’s mission. A huge thank you to everyone who participated!  

IINE’s annual events raise critical funds for our refugee and immigrant community members. Learn more and join us for an upcoming event.