Saturday Ride Calls For Cycling Access In BK Communities Of Color

BROOKLYN, NY — A bike ride through Brooklyn on Saturday will aim to send a clear message to city officials from communities of color: "We Bike Too!"

The bike ride, set up by Good Co. Bike Club, will bring cyclists from the Brooklyn Museum to Shirley Chisholm State Park to highlight the lack of biking infrastructure in those underserved areas. It is set to kick off at 11 a.m.

"There is no secret that access to cycling, equity, and social justice are intertwined; and when you support Black Lives Matter, you must also support and demand equal access as well," the bike club wrote on Facebook.

"We are biking for equal access to cycling in ALL communities and bringing awareness to the lack of cycling resources within the underserved communities of color."

Cycling resources that are lacking in neighborhoods the ride will visit, specifically in Brownsville, can mean anything from affordable equipment, to ride-sharing and safe bike lanes, the group said.

Studies have shown that quality protected bike lanes have disproportionately been built in New York City's richest neighborhoods.

The ride will include remarks from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who is from Brownsville. Half of the Good Co. board members are also from the neighborhood, the group said.

The ride will strictly enforce social distancing guidelines during the ride and its stops along the way.

It is one of several rides Good Co. Bike Club has held in recent weeks, including a "Freedom Ride" on Juneteenth.

For the Saturday ride, Adams will speak at Osborn Park and a "Bikenic" will conclude the ride at Shirley Chisholm State Park.

Find out more about the ride and how to register, here.