Crash Victim’s Family Promotes Safety

Around 65 kids ages 4-17 received bikes Saturday as part of the first annual Brett’s Bicycle Recycle Safety event. (Photo by Dana Elliot Richter)

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

A Huntington Station couple teamed up with a local youth organization Saturday to give away bicycles to children and promote safety in memory of a man killed in a motorcycle crash two years ago.

The couple, Lisa Karrer and Deborah Porretto, was joined by Huntington Station-based Tri Community and Youth Agency to host the first Annual Brett’s Bicycle Recycle Safety event.

Karrer is the sister of the late Brett Rainey, who was killed May 15, 2015 when his motorcycle struck a minivan on Route 110 in Huntington Station.

“After you lose someone in such a tragic way, we try to find out a way to heal,” Karrer said. “This was the best thing that could happen for us and for our family.”

Karrer said Tri CYA connected her with children in need. Seventy bikes, each of which were donated, were given to kids ages 4-17.

“Some of these kids never even been on a bike before, so we had people there teaching them how to ride bikes, teaching them safety and showing them how to fix bikes and change tires,” Karrer said.

She continued, “A lot of these kids around here can’t afford bicycles and their families can’t afford them so we decided to have people donate to us through used bicycles and we had people fix them.

The event, hosted in the Tri CYA parking lot, also featured music by DJ Adam Boyer and donated food, refreshments and gift baskets from local businesses, including Lil Dominic’s Pizza, Flour Blossom Bakery and John’s Crazy Socks.

The Huntington First Aid Community Squad chipped in by raising $600 that was put towards buying four brand new bikes, helmets and kneepads that were given away. The New York Coalition for Transportation Safety also donated 30 helmets.

“Just to see the smile on these kids’ faces was amazing to me,” Karrer said.

Karrer said there are plans to host the event next year, and has aspirations to make it bigger and better. She said they’re already accepting more donations, which can be dropped off at her 39 Dawson St. home. For more info, email rideforbrett@gmail.com