People are taking to the streets all around the country to push for reform—on feet and wheels. After George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis on May 25th, protests against police brutality and systemic racism rose around the country. Cities like Memphis, Atlanta, Portland, New York City, and Los Angeles, among many others, showed overwhelming support for the Black Lives Matter movement and continue to demand justice with weekly, often daily peaceful demonstrations.
While marching remains one of the most historically recognized way to protest, many in the above cities, and others, have taken to two wheels to spread the message of love and demand for justice farther, and wider. By covering more ground while more easily observing social distancing practices, the bike protests have proved increasingly popular and effective at uniting neighborhoods and cities against prevalent racism in America.
Groups as large as 10,000 have ridden through the streets of New York, and continue to do so on a weekly basis.
As unity is key to the message and function of protest, even bike protests aren't exclusively for cyclists. “The protest groups are open to everyone, whether you have a bike or not,” Juny Francois, co-founder of Riders for Black Lives, says. “Anyone on wheels: bike, skates, skateboards, scooters, young, old, children, and families. That’s the beauty of it—seeing the diversity in the community.”
Photo courtesy MBR Cycling
Francois stumbled upon the protests by literally walking into a group that gathered in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. After asking a fellow rider what was going on, she discovered it was a bike protest. “I said, ‘Let me go get my bike.’ That was my first ride, and I liked that it was a way to protest and do it at a social distance.” Plus, Francois realized she could go with or without friends—since everyone is on wheels, a natural kinship is formed. Plus, everyone experiences the moment at the same pace and with the same energy.
Francois is quick to point out, “there are many people who can’t afford bikes or Citi Bike, and there’s inequity in that. That’s something we want to be able to change: using the bikes as a means for change and bringing about more equity and equality and inclusion.”
Now, the rides have separated into both group rides to raise awareness and protests to disrupt and demand to the message be heard. “The census ride and voter registration ride—we are still riding and chanting, but there is a different, less confrontational vibe,” Steve Mazzucchi, a rider in NYC, shares. He’s ridden with Riders for Black Lives, Ride to DC, Mind Body Results, and Street Riders since the protests started.
