What started as our team’s annual North Lawndale Bike Ride for Peace evolved into a citywide phenomenon on Saturday, Aug. 15th, 2020, when more than 400 cyclists from across Chicago showed up for our inaugural Street Love Ride. The goal was to show the streets some love, but it was more than reciprocated as people honked their horns, raised their fists, and cheered at the ride’s positivity.
We felt the love on that ride, and it deepened our belief that that our city stands strongest in the fight against violence when we stand as one. Much gratitude to all who came out! (We were so excited by the energy of the ride, we’re already planning Street Love Ride 2021!)
Much appreciation to our planning partners – Equiticity, Working Bikes, Ride Illinois, the Lawndale Christian Fitness Center, representatives from the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, and so many others for making this event possible! Thanks to Frackle Media for designing our flyer, and to Norvell’s Photography for the amazing images of the event!
And, deep gratitude to our sponsors! This was part of Boxing Out Negativity’s Summer of Peace event series supported by a grant from The Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities, made possible by the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. (Check them out on Twitter and Instagram: @safepeacefulchi)
Lyft/Divvy provided financial support and offered the use of 100 Divvy bikes for the ride – This *is* the spirit of our work – making sure that everyone has access to positive experiences and loving communities with no barriers to access. Check out their “Divvy 4 Everyone” program for qualifying individuals!
St. Anthony Hospital, which supports health and community wellness in Lawndale, is also providing generous support.
Sponsor Sam Schwartz is an engineering, planning, and consulting firm committed to “building a safer, more sustainable, liveable future–for everyone.” (We support that vision!)
UCAN also sponsored the ride. UCAN does critical work to support youth who have suffered trauma in becoming our future leaders. Shout out to their Violence Intervention and Prevention Team!
And, YWCA – Chicago sponsored the ride as part of the U.S. Census effort. Have you filled out your census yet? If not, commit to completing it today – Go to https://2020census.gov/ to make sure your community is counted!
Much love to all those who came out to ride – see you next year!!
Photo credit to Norvell Tolbert of Norvell’s Photography.
See you all next year!