Riding with a purpose

“Hikoi.”

It’s a word many of us have never heard. It’s a word that a group of bicyclists, though, are living by.

Hikoi: an intentional physical movement with a purpose.

For the last several months, a group of men and women have been planning how to best raise awareness of human trafficking in the United States and across the globe. It clicked one day when Bishop David Rice put together his love of cycling and his desire to make people aware.

Tour Against Trafficking was born.

“This is a lovely integration to raise awareness of the crime,” Rice said Thursday afternoon, just minutes after riding up to St. John’s Parish in Tulare after cycling from Porterville to Tulare. “The thinking that this is somebody else’s problem, isn’t working.”

So, last week, Rice and several others jumped on their bikes and began riding from Taft to Bakersfield. The trek was part of their 745-mile journey to Modesto, stopping along the way to raise awareness to an issue that’s just starting to gain traction and national attention.

Human trafficking is prevalent in the US, the group of riders said, pointing their fingers toward California’s biggest cities, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.

Using a video by Michael Fagans, which can be found on the group’s website www.touragainsttrafficking.org, the group is hoping to not only raise awareness, but money for Valley groups dedicated to fighting human trafficking.

They’re half way to their goal of $50,000, with just two weeks to go. The money will be split among 10 service groups, including Tulare County’s Family Services.

“The Tour Against Trafficking is a creative and engaging way to raise awareness about human trafficking in our Central Valley communities,” said Erica Tootle, director of development for Family Services. “Family Services is honored to be a recipient of donations from the Tour. We will use funds to help trafficking victims by providing crisis counseling, case management, and emergency assistance with things like shelter, food, clothing, and medical care.”

Rice and his group of riders called trafficking an epidemic that’s just now being talked about openly. On their tour, the group has stopped along the way to talk to service groups. The reception has been outstanding, while also eye-opening. The journey has taken them to elevations of more than 8,00 feet and communities across the Valley.

Several women have come forward to talk about their experiences, Rice said.

But for some in the group, such as Fagans, Rice’s brother Larry and Craig Bernthal, the trek isn’t just about raising awareness or fundraising for the Valley groups, it’s connecting communities, which will be tasked with fighting these crimes head on, as one.

“Communities are coming together in an initiative to engage and connect between the group,” Fagans said. “They’re becoming aware together.”

The tour continues today from Visalia — Peace Officer Memorial on Woodland Drive and Burrel Avenue — to Hanford. The tour picks up Monday from Hanford to Fresno. Riders are encouraged to contact organizers through the website.

How to help or to join the Tour:

Visit: www.touragainsttrafficking.org or call Family Service Tulare County, 732-5941