Nearly 1,000 Helmets, 20 Incredible Volunteers, and One Amazing Community!
WRWC volunteers came together at 50 Sims in Providence to help prepare nearly 1,000 bicycle helmets for Rhode Island fifth graders through our Rhode to Bicycle Safety program.
On Thursday, October 22, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) welcomed 20 incredible volunteers to 50 Sims in Providence for an evening of teamwork and bicycle safety!
Together, our volunteers helped assemble nearly 1,000 bicycle helmets for students participating in WRWC’s Rhode to Bicycle Safety (R2BS) program. From unpacking boxes and attaching visors to adding the finishing touches with WRWC stickers, every helping hand brought us closer to getting more Rhode Island students safely on two wheels.
To all 20 volunteers who gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm: THANK YOU! Your hard work will make a difference for hundreds of young cyclists across the state.
A Special Thank You to 50 Sims!
We couldn’t have asked for a better place to bring this community together!
A huge thank you to 50 Sims for generously hosting our volunteer event and providing the space to make this massive helmet assembly possible.
Located in Providence’s Valley neighborhood, 50 Sims is much more than a building. Once home to the Textile Finishing Machinery Company, this historic 113,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is being transformed into a vibrant hub for creativity, collaboration, and community.
Today, 50 Sims brings together artists, makers, entrepreneurs, bicycle enthusiasts, and local organizations under one roof. From artist studios and manufacturing training to the Lefty Loosey Bike Collective, it’s a place where people come together to create, learn, and make things happen.
That spirit of collaboration was on full display during our volunteer event. We’re grateful to 50 Sims for opening its doors to WRWC and helping us turn a big job into an incredible community effort. Spaces like these help make Providence a stronger, more connected city, and we’re proud to be part of that community.
More Than a Helmet: Building Confident Young Cyclists
So, where are all those helmets headed?
Founded in 2019, The Rhode to Bicycle Safety (R2BS) is a WRWC program delivered in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The program helps fifth-grade students across Rhode Island develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to ride bicycles safely, whether they’re riding for transportation, exercise, or just plain fun.
Each year, R2BS reaches more than 1,000 students through a free, hands-on bicycle safety education program offered during the school day.
Over four sessions totaling 180 minutes, students learn essential skills, including:
- Understanding the rules of the road and navigating intersections
- Proper helmet fitting and bicycle safety practices
- Performing basic bicycle safety checks
- Understanding right of way and sharing the road
- Building confidence through supervised, on-bike instruction
WRWC provides all necessary equipment, including bicycles and helmets, so schools can participate at no cost.
And here’s the best part: Every student who completes the program gets to keep their very own bicycle helmet!
That means the helmets our volunteers helped prepare aren’t just equipment. They’re an investment in safer streets, healthier habits, greater independence, and a lifelong love of bicycling.
Thank You for Helping Us Keep Rhode Island Rolling!
From our dedicated volunteers to our wonderful hosts at 50 Sims, this event was a reminder of what we can accomplish when our community comes together.
Nearly 1,000 helmets are now one step closer to reaching the young cyclists who need them, thanks to 20 people who showed up ready to make a difference.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, and an extra-special thank you to 50 Sims for welcoming us into such an inspiring community space!
Bring Rhode to Bicycle Safety to Your School!
Interested in bringing this free bicycle safety education program to your fifth-grade students? We’re always looking for new school partners!
Contact Donny Green at dgreen@wrwc.org to learn more about Rhode to Bicycle Safety and how your school can participate.
Learn more about 50 Sims: 50 Sims