Zachary David Palmer

RightRides
by Zachary Palmer

Pitch-black nights are pitch-black nights, what is wrong is wrong, and what is right is… free rides. Since 2004, by offering women, transpeople and gender-queer individuals free late-night rides (through an agreement with Zipcar) and walks home (through their Safe Walk program), co-founders Consuelo Ruybal and Oraia Reid have been taking free, escorted steps toward the totally executable goal of building safer communities, and are making steps towards ending harassment and sexual assault. Off the streets, the programs that RightRides offers include neighborhood safety meetings with panels of local leaders in crime-prevention, and they’re working toward community partnerships to provide low-cost self-defense classes. Started in response to assaults in the Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods, RightRides now serves 35 neighborhoods in four boroughs and has received non-profit status. Incidentally, some of you might remember my hipster shuttle service Go Home With Someone — which, if you ever need me, is still operating. For more info, and to get involved, visit: rightrides.org

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