After a hugely successful 2015 season, Slow Roll Buffalo is kicking off another incredible season in 2016. The seemingly never-ending troop of riders, that winds around city blocks as far as the eye can see, will once again take to the streets en masse, to show that this city is united in its want for increased bike-friendly measures.
Slow Roll Buffalo has done its job in uniting a bike community in ways that many never imagined possible. To see hundreds upon hundreds of riders of all ages, taking the city streets by storm is a magnificent sight to behold.
With gratitude for such widespread support, we’re planning to grow in so many ways this year, from the ride itself to our reach in the community – this free event enjoyed by thousands from ages 5-93 presents endless opportunities to make Buffalo better by bicycle.
In 2015, one of the biggest rides maxed out with a head count of 1800 cyclists (a two-mile line). It’s hard to imagine the logistics that go into this sort of free event. Amazingly, the rides seem to go off without any major hitches or glitches, thanks to the due diligence of ride leaders. Adding to the impact, ride coordinators are stepping up their game in 2016, by becoming more proactive when it comes to engaging with the communities from whence they ride.
“We plan to expand our reach in the community far beyond the ride,” said Slow Roll Buffalo co-founder Seamus Gallivan. “For example, the May 16th Unity Ride will spotlight the Main Street racial divide, while the June 27th Peace of the City Ride and July 18th Grassroots Gardens Ride will showcase the work of these local nonprofits. Further, one of the volunteer committees we’ve established is working with block clubs, community organizations, and the Department of Public Works to improve the conditions of the streets and neighborhoods we ride in, including weekly pothole patching and periodic weekend cleanups – our message to them is that we want to ride with these neighborhoods, not just through them, encouraging everyone to use Slow Roll as a vehicle to make Buffalo better any way possible.”
Now it’s time to get your bike checked out, and plan your list of Slow Rolls that you will be attending. The season opener is Sunday, May 8 at 1pm at Marcy Casino Buffalo.
MONDAYS, meet at 5:30pm – roll at 6:30pm
May 16th – The Oakk Room
May 23rd – The Buffalo News
May 30th – Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park
June 6th – Larkin Square & Hydraulic Hearth
June 13th – Heart of Hertel Avenue
June 20th – The Groove Lounge
June 27th – Resurgence Brewing Company
July 4th – Buffalo River Fest Park
July 11th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
July 18th – Artisan Kitchens and Baths
July 25th – Lackawanna Veterans Stadium