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Congressional Bike Ride in Support of Rep. Giffords
Check out the new Streetfilms video on the Congressional Bike Ride:
The National Bike Summit officially wrapped this morning, March 11, with our Congressional Bike Ride in honor of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), a regular rider and member of the Congressional Bike Caucus, and in memory of those killed in the Tucson shooting. It was the largest turnout yet for our Congressional Ride, with over 100 riders.
President of the League Andy Clarke leads a moment of silence for all of the Tucson shooting victims | Photo courtesy of Chris Eichler
We followed tradition and met at Garfield Circle on our Bike and Roll rentals, tandems, hybrids, collapsible bikes, Capital Bikeshare bikes, and touring bikes (this list could go on forever). However, this year we didn’t immediately hop on our bikes and hit the streets. We gathered and took a moment of silence for all of victims affected by the Tucson shootings. We received Arizona flag bandannas and white and black ribbons — the white represents hope for a peaceful nonviolent society and the black is in remembrance of all who have died as a result of violence — to wear in solidarity.
A couple from Arizona rides in tandem to support Giffords | Photo courtesy of Carly Sieff
The route, created by WABA, toured D.C.’s recent bike infrastructure projects and gave us all a bit of excitement as onlookers on the streets gawked at how many people were using the Pennsylvania Ave. and 15th St. bike lanes. It truly was a sight and we were all honored to ride for Giffords, hoping she can get back on her bike real soon.
The Congressional Ride stops at a light on the Pennsylvania Ave. Bikes lanes | Photo courtesy of Chris Eichler
Groups of Congressional Riders on 15th St. Bike Lanes | Photo courtesy of Carly Sieff
Cyclists hold the Arizona state flag in honor of Congresswoman Giffords (Photo: Darren Flusche)
League President Andy Clarke, in grey blazer, and six-time national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson, in grew sweatshirt, in front of the Capitol. (Photo: Darren Flusche)
Meghan Cahill
League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
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March 12th, 2011 at 4:57 am
[...] on the new NACTO standards. A look at bike commuter trends in the U.S. The National Bike Summit rides in honor of Gabby Giffords. Bike pins are popular in the halls of Congress, let’s see if that translates into votes on the [...]
March 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am
This year was my first summit. I came with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. The whole thing was a great experience. I hope to be back next year. I’m sorry I missed the ride. ~M~
March 20th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
AzBikeClub is glad to have been at the 2011 Summit and glad we could share the Arizona spirit with you on the ride!
Kristi
August 3rd, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Where do we purchase the cool bike pins?
Many thanks!!
August 17th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
very interesting article about gabby giffords and husband http://www.futureworldgossip.com/2011/08/gabby-giffords-mark-kelly-major-scandal.html