Lynbrook Girl Scout Troop Holds Bike Swap

The rainy weather may have dampened the afternoon, but it certainly didn’t affect the spirits of Lynbrook Girl Scout Troop 2165 on Saturday. The girls and their leaders sat under a tent at Greis Park, eagerly awaiting participants for the troop’s Bike Swap event. 

Residents were encouraged to bring old or unused bikes to the park and exchange them for another set of wheels.

Troop 2165 is made up of Elizabeth Hanson, Emily Silberger, Emily Heinrich, Veronica Rich, Elizabeth Ratkiewicz, Katie D’Agostino and Caroline Canny. Those seven are currently completing the junior (ages 10-11) level of scouting.  The swap was part of the girl’s “Take Action” project.

“One of our requirements is a ‘journey’,” Troop Leader Georgette Rich said. “[The journey] was about moving, energy, recycling, reusing, and being more conscious about [our] role in the environment.”

Once the troop decided on a bike swap for their project, they contacted the Lynbrook Recreation Department. The department provided the space for the event and even threw in some bikes for swapping.      

During the bike swap, the troop sold baked goods and distributed free raffle tickets. Both the Lynbrook Bike Shop and donated bike helmets to be raffled off.  

On top of facilitating the exchange of bikes, the girls learned about proper bicycle safety. An officer from the Lynbrook Police Department spoke to troop members about the importance of helmets and riding with the flow of traffic.

The officer told the scouts that parents can be subject to a $50 fine if a child under the age of 14 is found riding without a helmet. 

As a final tip, the officer cautioned that children over the age of 12 should always ride on the side of the road, so as not to endanger pedestrians on the sidewalk.   

Although only six residents dropped off bicycles, the troop still felt the afternoon was worthwhile. 

“Unfortunately, we got a little rained out,” Rich said. “They canceled hockey and soccer [at Greis Park]. So, we would have had a lot more had the weather cooperated, but it’s all good. We had good intentions.”   

The troop donated all remaining bicycles to a Babylon Boy Scout who is collecting bikes to send to Central America as part of his Eagle Scout project.    

“We ultimately would like to complete the picture and give [the bikes] to people who will really use them,” Rich said.