Massapequa Mom Stands Up To Bullying With Brady Park Bike Ride On Sunday

MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY — A Massapequa mom is trying to make a difference in the lives of not only her son, but also other kids who have been bullied, with a bike ride this Sunday at Brady Park Bike Path.

Registration at Brady Park begins at 11 a.m., with the actual bike ride starting at 12 p.m.

The Long Island mom said it's important for both she and her son to have the bike ride to raise awareness of bullying across Long Island. She said that bullying can cause PTSD and self-harm, and her own son has PTSD and anxiety now from being bullied for years.

"The bullying epidemic is at an all-time high, and there have been so many people reaching out and telling us how bullying has affected their lives," she said. "We are hoping we can build a community where people feel safe and protected, where they can share their stories."

She said there have been many times when her son has not felt safe riding his bike, and that lately, he just wants to stay inside to avoid being bullied. Unfortunately, she said he's not the only one.

"A lot of parents have reached out about how their kids don't feel like they could ride their bikes safely without being bullied, so by having a bike path where these kids can just ride and have their own personal security, and have fun," seemed like a good option, she said.

She continued by saying how important it is that people seek help by speaking to someone. To that end, the event will have professional therapists and social workers present, offering help to anyone who wants to talk.

"I want to make a community where people can come to and ask advice for either people who are being bullied, or even people who do the bullying, so they can get help," she said.

Speaking to someone can be unnerving, so she said they will also have a box where kids can drop letters off asking for help.

She wants kids across Long Island to feel safe again and to be in a community that supports each other: "We need to change the narrative in this community."

The event, open to all ages, also features raffles and food. No e-bikes or electric scooters allowed.