Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini made a decision some 16 years ago that has resulted in the most important motorcycle run in Rhode Island.
“It’s called a one-of-a-kind event,” Maj. Joseph Razza said. “It’s the Special Olympics Rhode Island Motorcycle Run, which this year will be held on Saturday, May 30.”
Razza, who is coordinating the event with Johnston Capt. Thomas Dolan, said registration will begin at 4 p.m. that day inside the Metro Collision parking lot at 181 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in Johnston. The always-colorful sendoff is set for 7 p.m. Registration is $25 per biker, and includes an official T-shirt, access to the music-filled pre-party, and refreshments.
All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Rhode Island, and the event is held in conjunction with the award-winning athletic games that will again be held at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus.
Back in 1999, then Johnston Police Capt. John DiMaio and now retired Officer Phil Viens pitched an idea to Tamburini for the motorcycle run. DiMaio and Viens told Tamburini they wanted the run to originate in Johnston and culminate with the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games in Kingston.
Tamburini, who has always been a proponent of supporting worthy causes, figured “anything that can increase police community relations is worth my approval and support from the Johnston Police Department.”
“I just can’t believe that here we are 16 years later and the event is still going strong,” the chief said.
“I remember when the run started with maybe 20 to 30 bikes, and how we’ve had up to and perhaps over 1,000 in previous years.”
The annual motorcycle run has raised as much as $15,000 for Special Olympics Rhode Island in a year, and organizers are hoping for great weather and a record turnout for the May 30 trek.
“This is a great event that not only the riders enjoy,” Tamburini noted, “but our Special Olympians love to see those bikes roar into the stadium at URI. The interaction between the bikers and Olympians is unique.”
Tamburini also pointed out that “this run is not only geared to riders, but whole families that come out to enjoy the pre-ride music and those folks who have lined Route 44 for years to watch the annual sendoff.”
In keeping with tradition, this year’s Special Olympics Rhode Island Motorcycle Run will be escorted from Johnston to Kingston by motorcycle police from Johnston, Providence, North Providence, Warwick, Cranston and Bristol.
“Every participating policeman and policewoman also enjoys the annual bike run,” Razza said. “It’s special in many ways for those people. We as police officers also enjoy the interaction with the Special Olympians once we arrive at URI.”
This time around, the motorcycle run will highlight the closing ceremony for the Summer Games.
“And we all really need to commend the people who spearheaded this tremendous event 16 yeas ago,” Razza said. “If it wasn’t for the late Capt. DeMaio and now retired officer Phil Viens, the event would not have grown into what it has today – or even have been held, for that matter.”
To register for motorcycle run, call Johnston police at 401-231-4210 or email Razza at jrazza@johnstonpd.com.
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