Bikes By The Bay returns to celebrate, give back to the community

It’s a long way from Sturgis, but Halversen Park is welcoming bikers of all kind for a great cause.

For the past 25 years, the United Bikers of Northern California (UBNC) have given back to Humboldt County with their Bikes by the Bay event.

“What they did is it was to try to get get all the bikers in the community together to for causes and and charitable events,” UNBC vice president Robert Slater said. “And since then, several chapters have been born and raised and been gone. And UBNC Humboldt is very proud to be one of the last existing chapters.”

Bikers from all over the region come on down for live music, camaraderie and, of course, to show off their prized bikes.

Three charities in particular are in the spotlight for this year’s event.

“One is the Senior Meals Brown Bag program. And then it’s the Backpacks for Kids program where they have food and such after school and everything. And then the other one is the Eureka Women’s Shelter,” Slater said. “We like to choose people that are not getting any kind of federal funding, and it’s all local money. So this money is raised locally, and we keep the local. That way we can help all the local people.”

It’s one community giving back to another and changing the perceptions of the past.

“The community as a whole has opened on us. You know, they we’re here to show that, you know, we here to show that being a biker that’s mean you know what it might sound like from 50 years past,” Slater said. “Being a biker now, it’s a lot of responsibility. You stand a high moral ground and you invite people in and find your own niche and how you fit in there.”

These connections have lead to massive donations for those who need it most.

“From when I been involved, the very first year, we donated $3,000. Second year, we donated $6,000. Last year, we donated $9,000,” Slater said. “And I’m really hoping with everyone’s input and help and support this year, we can get to $12[000] or $15[000].”

Those interested in joining the UBNC can head to a meeting every second Tuesday of the month at the Eureka Veteran’s Hall at 7 p.m.