Christmas comes to Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park

It shouldn’t come as such a surprise that even Santa looked exceptionally fit. Every couple moments Santa had to lift his big black belt to keep his red pants from coming down due to the lack of a belly. That’s what happens when Santa rides a bike.

Skinny Santa with Rodd Secrist's mom Lori, handing out food.

The Spirit of Christmas came early to Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park on the Thursday before Christmas, and dozens of local kids were the beneficiaries of some of the best bicycle love found in New Jersey. Bike lights and locks were given to the older children and the younger kids were the lucky recipients of great bikes with plenty of life left in them. All the while everyone was well fed with dozens of pizzas, a six foot sub sandwich and great cookies and snacks. And while Kerri Martin, Second Life’s founder was definitely the master of ceremonies, she was far from the only source of the charity and joy found that day. For this holiday party, Kerri and her band of volunteer elves had some help.

Even from tragedy can come joy.  Back in October of this year Rodd Secrist died in a tragic accident. According to his mother Lori Gaffney, Rodd loved cycling along with helping others, especially children. In lieu of flowers at Rodd’s funeral, his mother asked that donations be given to Second Life Bikes because of the youth program Kerri runs to teach the local kids the joys working on and riding bikes. With the donations Lori received she was able to provide the food and drink for all those in attendance. Along with the food, Lori was able to provide gifts for the older kids in attendance including locks, front and rear bicycle lights and helmets.

The W Girls of Coastal New Jersey!

However, Second Life Bikes and all those in attendance were doubly blessed this year with tidings of good will. A group of young women called the W Girls, Coastal New Jersey Chapter also stepped up to help out. The W Girls focuses there charity to help disadvantaged women and children and that evening the W Girls provided gift certificates to a local book store and more.

Not to be outdone, Kerri also had a trick up her sleeve to bring the evening to a climatic end. She and her merry band of volunteer elves were able to put together and give away 20+ small children’s bikes to local kids of needy families. She was only able to do this due to the many bicycle donations she receives. And while the adult bicycles tend to sell rather quickly, Kerri had been accruing a rather large surplus of the smaller kid’s bikes (hint, she has many more for sale). All in attendance were smiling ear to ear as many of the young kids joyously received what in many cases were their first bikes.

Few things in life bring bigger smiles than a bike.  Ear to ear!

Overall, the Christmas Party was a rousing success. There was much to celebrate for all involved and all are looking for a great 2011 at Second Life Bikes as Kerri’s (not so) little bicycle operation will be staying in its 21 Main Street location for another year.

For more photos check out the photo album below.  (Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of Kerri this time around. Sorry.)

Videos: Asbury Park Bike Church & More!

I had the good fortune of coming across several good videos today that readers of our blog and all New Jersey bicyclists should see.

The first is a wonderful, *NEW*, 5 minute short about Kerri Martin (WalkBikeJersey's official president BTW) and her Bike Church down in Asbury Park. The new video from Brian Johnson, released earlier this month really gives you an idea of the transformation effect the bicycle and Kerri's efforts at the Bike Church have had on children growing up in an urban environment where kids often face many problems.

The Bike Church from Brian Johnston on Vimeo.

Also is this 2007 production about Kerri and the Bike Church that is pretty much in the same vein as the newer video and is also just around 5 minutes.



Final there is this superb vintage bicycle education video out of the Oakland, California by Progressive Pictures (I kid you not!). It is supposedly from to 1948 but many (comments on YouTube) think its newer, from the 1950's and I tend to agree (look at the cars). I think it's very well done and almost all of the information and lessons given are excellent and still apply today. However, most of the lessons given in the "riding at night" section have been outmoded by advances in technology. There are also some great stunt crashes, some done by children that all managed to walk away with a smile, despite the lack of a helmet! It's geared toward kids but there are adults in the film and the lessons are given in a way that appeals to audiences of all ages.



Anyway I notice a couple of other interesting things that may be of interest to us "livable streets" types. First, did you notice the 15mph speed limit. It is my understanding that they are still considered illegal in most places including New Jersey (DON'T quote me on that). Second are parking space markings on the roadway that are nearly identical to the ones used in the Bay Area today. They are crosses that have a branch that extends out into the traffic lane. These are still in use out in California because (or so I believe) the branch that extends out into the street acts as a guide to cyclists to stay out of the door zone, like that shown below on this street in San Francisco. Oh well. Everything comes around a second time I guess and hopefully for the better.