2020 was a year like many of us have never experienced before. I was
hoping for a second year of group rides and outreach through Everyone
Rides. I had joined the board of directors of Cycle Hamilton. It was a
different Cycle Hamilton than I was originally used to, no monthly
meetings and no social activities. Still we pedaled along. A question
that I seemed to always get asked was when are group rides starting up.
Our leadership was cautious and rightfully so. Through talking with our
then Co-Chairs the idea and my own digging I came across the idea of
Slow Rolls. A program I am a participant in restarted their weekly Sobi
Rides, limited it to 5 people and we had a couple of different routes
that were all ages and abilities and for the most part completely away
from motorized traffic.
The rides were at a leisurely pace and we
enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city and the waterfront. How do I
bring this to Cycle Hamilton? Slow Rolls!!!
What is a Slow Roll?
- It is a group of people getting together to ride their bikes.
- Everyone is welcome.
- A ride in the city at a leisurely pace and for what it is.
- There is no sign-up or commitment.
- No one gets left behind or dropped.
- There is no humiliation or shaming.
- No one is left to find their own way home.
- And most importantly it is about building relationships.
There were times that it was discouraging because no one else showed up, but that was okay. I still got to ride my bike. There were times 1 person showed up and we had a great chat and got to know each other.
In 2022 I paused hosting the Slow Rolls as often to focus on Advocacy and studying and promoted other group rides and participated in a few that I hope to see back this year.
It is now 2023 a new season is in front of us. I usually do #30DaysOfBiking in April and thought what a great way to kick off April with a Slow Roll or 2 (2 in one day) In the future Cycle Hamilton will be doing more and we will be adding a twist of doing them in a couple of wards we usually don’t as Advocacy Rides. Looking at what works, doesn’t work and how we can get more people on bikes.
References:
Cycle Hamilton: https://www.cyclehamont.ca/
Everyone Rides Initiative: https://www.everyonerides.org/
Slow Rolls: https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/the-rapid-rise-of-slow-roll/
#30DaysOfBiking: https://30daysofbiking.com/
