Professional BMX athlete and Queens native Nigel Sylvester continues to make a lasting impact off the bike through his philanthropic organization, The Nigel Sylvester Foundation. In celebration of National Bike Month, the foundation hosted a series of dynamic, community-focused events throughout May to empower and uplift youth in underserved neighborhoods.
Among the standout initiatives was the second annual CycleBar Spin Class Fundraiser held May 3 in Flatiron, followed by the Brick by Brick online raffle on May 5. But the heart of the month’s efforts came through the foundation’s signature “Bike a Day in May” giveaway, which returned on May 16 at the YMCA in Jamaica, Queens — a place deeply connected to Sylvester’s upbringing.
Launched in 2021, “Bike a Day in May” honors young people who demonstrate resilience, positive behavior, and a strong sense of community. Each day in May, a youth is selected to receive a brand-new bike, with all bicycles and gear generously donated by Hyper and New Era.
“We believe mobility equals opportunity,” said Tasia McLeod of the Nigel Sylvester Foundation. “Giving a child a bike is more than a gift — it’s a tool for freedom, confidence, and self-expression.”
The inaugural YMCA event featured remarks from Queens Councilwoman Nantasha Williams, Jamaica YMCA Executive Director Cedric Dew, and Sylvester himself, who personally presented bikes, duffel bags, and hats to 31 local students between the ages of 5 and 17.
On May 20, the generosity continued as Sylvester returned to his former elementary school, PS 132, where he and Principal Dex Baptiste gifted Jordan Brand merchandise to 50 graduating fifth-grade students. The event celebrated academic achievement and the students’ transition to middle school.
“I was once one of those kids sitting in that auditorium,” Sylvester shared. “To come back and pour into the next generation from the same neighborhood I came from means everything to me.”
Through grassroots engagement and consistent investment in youth, Sylvester and his foundation continue to champion empowerment, education, and opportunity — one bike, one student, and one neighborhood at a time.