Twenty-six bike teams participated in Saturday’s Ride for Refuge, raising a total of $18,000.

Over a hundred men and women grabbed their bikes and took to the streets in an effort to raise money for Ride for Refuge, an organization that raises money to support refugees and victims of human trafficking, according to rideforrefuge.org.

This was Ride for Refuge’s inaugural year in Oklahoma City.

The program began in Canada in 2004 and has two participating locations in the United States, said Brian McAtee, First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City’s minister of global peoples.

The event came to the United States last year in Chicago, Ill. and Grand Rapids, Mich., according to rideforrefuge.org.

“Oklahoma City is the first sunbelt ride location,” McAtee said.

Oklahoma City’s goal this year was $25,000, and the event raised $18,000, according to rideforrefuge.org.

Women and men of all ages rode for donors and in support of Ride for Refuge.

“Ride for Refuge is for everyday, normal folks who have an old bike and want to use it to raise money for something they are passionate about,” McAtee said.

Money collected by riders is split between Ride for Refuge and the churches and non-profit organizations that sponsor each cyclist.

The event was sponsored by First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Eco7, International Teams and Blue Sea Philanthropy.