Gov. Andrew Cuomo kicked off a statewide motorcycle ride Monday morning to raise awareness about breast cancer.

The ride started in Kings Park.

Billy Joel rode alongside the governor on the Long Island portion of the ride. Another participant was Gov. Cuomo's girlfriend, Sandra Lee. Lee underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. 

"I was a lucky one," Lee says. "I got diagnosed early, but...40,000 women a year die from breast cancer. Every single year."

Along the way Cuomo signed legislation expanding access to breast cancer screenings. 

Sayville's Kristen Ferris, a breast cancer survivor, says the new law will help more women have access to vital early detection.

"It's an hour out of your day, but it could save your life," Ferris says.