1. The Kids and the Bikes: Even in a neighborhood where people are used to seeing unusual spectacles, it was enough to make passersby stop in their tracks and gape as a steady stream of more than 100 kids and parents peddled wildly decorated bikes from Tompkins Square Park to Second Avenue, then across 4th Street to Avenue D and back again. It was the kind of sight that helps New Yorkers realize that a new generation must -- and will -- take up the cause of non-polluting, human-powered transportation. (To watch a fun video of the event by local filmmaker Nick Whitaker, see the StreetFilms website.)

2. The Collaboration of So Many Neighborhood Groups and Businesses: It's impossible to feel that you're alone in caring about quality of life on the Lower East Side when you see so many groups giving their time and support to a single event. Among the many participants:

• Not only did Recycle a Bicycle donate countless hours to fix broken bikes for kids who never owned a bike before the parade, but Recycle's Patrick Tomeny rode with the crowd and helped make sure that everyone was safe.
  
• Mary Spink of the Lower East Side People's Mutual Housing Association provided a huge, free workspace on East 3rd Street for months of bike decorating workshops.
  
• The Children's Museum of the Arts, after weeks of workshops to help kids decorate their bikes, manned a table at the event where they put last-minute touches on dozens of bikes.
  
• Bike New York, Transportation Alternatives, and Rock Corps gave support at the workshops leading up to the event, teaching kids how to make decorations, how to ride, and how to follow safety rules.
  
• The Lower East Side Girls Club sent the largest team of riders, and the Andrew Glover Youth Program lead the way with its own co-ed posse.
  
• Times Up sent the Clown Brigade, who jazzed up the ride with their crazy outfits and portable bike-riding tunes.
  
• Building With Books sent teenage volunteers who helped manage the parade, an impressive example of young New Yorkers who are continuing the city's long tradition of positive community activism.
  
• Bike muralist Adam Matta created a scene, literally, by painting artworks with the wheels of his bike.
  
• Keeper Springs, which is affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s foundation, donated many cases of water for riders.
  
• The Rude Mechanical Orchestra met paraders at the finish line with their rockin' mix of wacked-out tunes.
  
• Pedicab aficionado George Bliss rounded up drivers to escort VIPs during the event.
  
• The Matthew Marks Gallery, a long-time supporter of Lower East Side projects, donated money for the ribbons, foils, tape, and other supplies that festooned many a bicycle.
  
• And of course, the East Village Community Coalition's own Alison Franks oversaw the organization and planning of the event while artistic director Cindy Ruskin and workshop coordinator Cara Earl spent months gathering supplies and leading bike-decorating workshops (with help from many excellent volunteers).

3. The Support of Community Leaders: Considering the turn-out at the parade, it's clear that neighborhood leaders understand the importance of cleaning up New York City's air by encouraging human-powered transportation.

• Rousing the crowd with her impassioned support for the neighborhood, Commissioner Margarita Lopez presided over the parade with her usual good humor, riding in a pedicab at the front of the pack and blessing riders with her magic bicycle wand.
  
• Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez showed her dedication to the cause by riding to the event on her own bike.
  
• Borough President Scott Stringer, Assembly Member Bryan Kavanaugh, and Councilmember Rose Mendez all came to cheer on the riders.
  
• The Department of Transportation donated 200 helmets and sent volunteers to fit them, so the kids and adults in our neighborhood can ride safely.
  
• The New York City Housing Authority gave supplies and support for the art workshops that lead up the event, and sent famed local muralist Chico Garcia to help decorate bikes and inspire the young artists.

4. The Support of New York's Finest: It's no easy task to oversee the safety of such a large crowd of young bike riders on city streets. But Detective Jamie Hernandez and his large team from the 9th Precinct of the New York City Police Department managed to be both protective and supportive, clearly joining in the fun of the parade while keeping a safe distance between the bike riders and gas-powered vehicles. This was an encouraging sign that cooperation is possible between bike riders and police, further proof that cycling can and will continue to grow as a crucial form of New York City transportation.

5. The Big Haul After The Long Haul: Lucky riders peddled away with extra booty during the raffle. Prizes included a bicyclist bear from Build-A-Bear, a pizza party from Two Boots Pizza, and four free tickets to see The Blue Man Group. Art Bike t-shirts were also awarded. If you didn't get a t-shirt at the event, you can purchase one at Tees.com on Avenue A between 9th and 10th Streets.

Think that's the whole story? Then perhaps you need to be reminded that other sponsors of the event included: The Lower East Side Peoples Federal Credit Union, Asthma Free School Zone, Good Old Lower East Side, and the many friends who donated their time, their old bicycles, and financial support. In fact, there were so many helpful contributors that an important credit or two may be missing from the list above. If you notice any major omissions, send us an e-mail and we'll post an update.

Be prepared for next year's Art Bike Ride, which promises to be even bigger, better, and wilder than this year's -- workshops will begin in September 2008. If you have questions about next year's event, contact us. (Or if you want to help defray the costs of this year's ride, make a contribution at the EVCC's page on the non-profit donation site, The Network for Good.)

So, until we get out the glue guns, paint brushes, and ribbon boxes yet again, ride on.

(Photos by Alan Ruskin, Michael Small, and others.)

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