Boy, 7, Rides Bike For 9/11 Heroes, Raises More Than $4K

MORICHES, NY — Ricky Taylor turns 8 years old on Wednesday and for his birthday, he's getting his first "big boy" bike, his parents said. The gift is well-deserved — Ricky, riding a small child's bike, just pedaled 20 miles in memory of 9/11 heroes, raising more than $4,000 and uplifting spirits with every expanse he spanned.

Ricky's father Nick Taylor said his wife Desiree is a member of the Policemen's Benevolent Association; the group organized a bike run to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The foundation honors firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11, as well as other military and first responders.

Nick Taylor, a social studies teacher, has been teaching his son about 9/11 from a historical perspective. "And my wife has been teaching him from the heroes perspective, about sacrifice," he said.

Ricky is "incredibly empathetic," his father said. The little boy has wanted to be a vegetarian since he was four years old because he didn't want to hurt animals, Taylor said. "His personality is really, really special."

When the Taylors decided to participate in the event, which took place at Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton, Ricky was excited because he loves to ride his bike. The fact that he was on such a small bike, the kind that comes with training wheels, "made it really incredible," Taylor said. "He was pedaling really hard for a long time."

Also, Taylor said, "He was pretty much the only non-officer — because he's 7." But still, his boy was out in front of the pack, encouraging the adults onward. "He said, 'The firemen and policemen finish their jobs — we can finish this bike run!'"

At mile 14.5, Ricky ran into trouble, coming down a steep hill at full speed and crashing into a chain link fence, his father said. Ricky was covered with thorns and badly cut. "His whole little body was riddled; he was bleeding from his hands, arms, legs," he said. Surrounded by EMTS, he was bandaged — but their family was far from both the start and finish lines. "We figured he was done," his father said. "He was bloodied, crying, and upset. I said, 'You know what, buddy? You did an amazing job.'"

But his son, battered and bruised, refused to give up. "He said he wasn't in as much pain as the people from 9/11 — and that he could finish. It was really emotional. That just really echoed throughout the entire event and became a rallying cry. This little boy just kept riding his bike. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Ricky ended up raising more than $4,300 for the foundation and was honored by Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico and the town board, along with a "Ricky Taylor Day" in town last week. He will be honored soon by Senator Anthony Palumbo.

When asked how it felt to ride his bike in memory of 9/11, Ricky said: "I did it to honor the firefighters who tried to help the people that were crashed by the planes."

The Taylor family has a farm and Ricky loves horses, goats, dogs, and chickens, the most. "He's a huge fan of taking care of his chickens," his father said. He loves riding his scooter, playing video games, and jumping rope.

But most of all, his son is a nurturer, his father said. "He loves taking care of things."

"We can all learn a lot from young Ricky Taylor," Panico said. "His patriotism and drive to make a difference are positive qualities for people, whether you are 7 or 97 years old. Good for you, Ricky — and keep up the good work."