A new cycling community is pedaling into the spotlight in Riverside, spearheaded by founders Valerie Kramer and Matt Schalles. Ride Riverside, which launched in April, has gained momentum with its monthly slow roll bicycle rides that bring together biking enthusiasts for leisurely excursions through the village.
The group’s inaugural ride saw a modest turnout of fewer than 40 participants, but by its May event, interest had surged with 85 riders hitting the streets. The increase in attendance was attributed in part to bike-powered live music festivities held in celebration of National Bike Month. Local musicians Jon Dombro and Wally Pochron jammed out alongside volunteers who powered the musical amplifiers by pedaling on a stationary bike generator owned by Schalles, creating a unique blend of music and biking synergy .
Ride Riverside traces its origins to a chance meeting between Kramer and Schalles through Riverside’s Cross-Community Climate Collaborative Team. United by a shared passion for biking, the duo’s vision for promoting cycling in Riverside blossomed following their participation in an event hosted by Cycle Brookfield, a nonprofit advocating for biking initiatives. Inspired by this encounter, they embarked on establishing their own biking community, initially met with curiosity and some misunderstanding from local officials who initially thought they were proposing a competitive race rather than a communal cycling event .
Kramer highlighted the multifaceted benefits of cycling, emphasizing its social, health, and environmental advantages. “Riding bikes can be fun while providing benefits. It’s a healthy activity that fosters social connections and strengthens community bonds,” Kramer expressed. The group’s slow rides not only enrich the local experience but also contribute positively to the economy without adding to traffic congestion .
Beyond its social dimensions, Ride Riverside operates as an advocacy group dedicated to improving biking infrastructure and connectivity in Riverside. Both Kramer and Schalles underscored the importance of enhancing biking routes across communities, making cycling a viable transportation option for residents. They identified the need for safer biking networks and greater connectivity to key destinations like schools and shopping areas, bridging gaps between neighboring communities to facilitate seamless biking experiences for residents .
Ride Riverside’s ambitions extend beyond casual cycling outings; it represents a collaborative effort to transform Riverside into a more bike-friendly community, advocating for safer routes and improved connectivity that transcend village borders. As Schalles put it, “By having a group in Riverside to work with the village, we can work in collaboration with Brookfield for some of these greater connectivity issues,” recognizing the broader impact of their advocacy efforts on the region’s biking network.