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Bikers for Babies

By WBNG News
August 7, 2010 Updated Aug 7, 2010 at 6:50 PM EDT

Conklin, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts across Central New York ride to help save babies.

It's the March of Dimes' Bikers for Babies.

Action News Reporter Haley Burton takes us to Conklin, where a group of bikers head north for a life changing ride.

Bikers hop on their riders and take a trip up I-81 to help gives babies a healthy start.

"Every ride is enjoyable for us and to be giving back something to the community means a lot to bikers," said Chris Davies, Ride Organizer.

65 riders took off from Conklin Cycling Club for Bikers for Babies.

All the money raised goes to March of Dimes.

The non-profit helps improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births and infant deaths.

Some riders rev'ed up their engines because they have a personal connection to the charity.

"I have a niece that had twin boys a few years back that needed special help. March of Dimes was able to provide, not only to research development and stuff like that. But they actually helped her," said Ed Pickering, Ride Leader.

Broome County Sheriffs escorted the bikers most of the way.

The riders cruised about 70 miles north to Jamesville Beach.

Bikers for babies events are going on all over New York State.

The bikers here when they get to Syracuse, they'll meet up with 9 other groups from Central New York.

We've got Cortland. we've got Sherburne, Syracuse, Auburn," said Davies.

Add to that groups from Geneva, Oneida, Utica, Corning and Watkins Glen.

More than 1,000 bikers will culminate together for barbeque, music and raffles.

Last year they raised $100,000 for March of Dimes.

"It's such a good cause that does good things. It's basically to help prevent premature birth and associated problems with that," said Pickering.

The Binghamton bikers went above and beyond contributing to that good cause.

They raised $3,200.

In Conklin, Haley Burton, WBNG-TV Action News.

Millions of babies have been saved from death or disability because of March of Dimes research.

The Central New York headquarters is located in Syracuse.

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