NE Community Outreach

[Rixtir]

With all the discussion Re: attacks on cyclists in NE, I thought I'd put out an idea for some positive ways to connect with the community, and to solicit other ideas.

This month is Black History Month; it seems to me that the cycling community could make a positive connection with Portland's black community with an even commemorating Major Taylor. If you're unfamiliar with Major Taylor, here are some links:

http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/who.htm

http://www.majortaylor.com/

I'm thinking that an event or events could include a Major Taylor race (for kids). Maybe a commemorative ride. The idea would be to make some positive connections and outreach from Portland's cycling community.

It's to late to organize a race for this year, but it could be done next year.

A ride could be organized for this year.

Responses?

Other ideas?

[donnambr]

Rixtir, that's something to consider. I was thinking about what John Canda told Jonathan about how there used to be bike rides to church. For those of us with a religious bent, this might be really meaningful. In the Detroit area where I am from, some "black" and "white" churches had exchanges of ministers for certain Sundays and combined services where they would switch off going to each other's church.

Does anyone attend a church with a bikey presence? Could you see your congregation reaching out to a predominantly African-American church? I was also wondering about Morning Star Missionary Baptist that just burnt down. Do they need help moving anything? Would a LBS be willing to donate a bike for fundraising purposes?

I'm not a churchgoing person, but some of us are, and perhaps gestures could be made in this direction.

[Rixtir]

I was also wondering about Morning Star Missionary Baptist that just burnt down. Do they need help moving anything?Here's one way to do it:

http://www.shift2bikes.org/wiki/doku.php?id=bikefun:move_x_bike


Would a LBS be willing to donate a bike for fundraising purposes? That's a great idea!