Hundreds of beginner and long-time bikers will gear up for a 15-mile multi-borough ride on August 3, under the direction of Brooklyn resident Marz Lovejoy and her bike collective for Black women called ...And Still We Ride....
This year, the bike tour will begin at 11am and will include some of the city’s most historic spaces for Black individuals, as outlined by Black Gotham Experience. The tour ends with a block party in Bedford Stuyvesant, featuring professional acupuncturists, body massages and a Black maternal health station with accompanying tunes from DJ Stretch Armstrong.
Lovejoy, alongside partnering organizations like Bike Life PLG, Food With Fam and Black Gotham Experience, will also distribute fresh produce, meals, and conduct bicycle giveaways.
...And Still We Ride... isn’t your normal city bike group. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem Still I Rise, the ride-outs focus on social justice work by encouraging more Black and brown folks to take up space in this field. Lovejoy said she founded the group and the rides in 2020 because she wanted to see more riders who looked like her.
After garnering the eyes of brands like Nike and Boxed Water, Lovejoy was able to plan her first official bike ride four years ago, with an incredible turnout of over 400 riders.
“When we're thinking about something like biking, it might not sound or look or feel natural," Lovejoy explained.
“A lot of people cannot relate to that. So, when I'm thinking about things, I'm thinking of, like, how, as a Black woman, who wants to see more Black and brown bodies on bicycles, period? How does that translate?”
Beyond the physical benefits of biking, is a goal of wellness through community, admits Lovejoy.
Many of the bikers have been with Lovejoy since the movement’s inception. When asked, many admitted they continue to ride with the team because of the “energy” and “vibes” they get when connected with other bikers.
Jilly Alvarez, a long-time stunt rider, said she first found solace while riding a bike as a child. Now, she fosters her love of cycling by staying active with the bike collective.
Biking became therapy after she lost her brother, Alvarez said, who found some peace after riding with the group.
“What popped for me about her ride was her riding in the name of Black women,” said Alvarez. “Just her showcasing amazing women throughout history and in the community, like it got my attention, and what keeps me coming back is her vibe, her energy. Just how much she cares about, not only the bike life community, but just you as an individual."
Lovejoy hopes her ride-outs will not only encourage Black girls and women to bike, but be a space where they can form an unbreakable bond.
“There's so much that I pour into this, because I want it to be a space and a place where people feel like they're loved,” explained Lovejoy.
You can find out more information about And Still We Ride’s bike ride here.
