Bend Bikes will not be silent.
The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, among so many others, are a part of the continuing failure of our country to address systemic racism and police violence against Black people. This is inexcusable and we must immediately increase our commitment and our actions to address justice, equity, and inclusion for our Black community.
As a leading advocate in Bend for people on bikes, our vision is for all people who ride bikes to feel safe on a comprehensive network of bike-friendly routes in every part of town, and for us, that means acknowledging that for Black people, safety is not just about infrastructure, bike lanes, or cars — it includes the reality of racial profiling, assault, or worse.
We acknowledge that this will require self-reflection and work for Bend Bikes. We need to do better. We need to ensure our advocacy includes engaging diverse audiences and takes into account the experiences of Black people in our own community. We support the development of equitable access for everyone to safely bike in a network that connects to jobs, education, and other important services in Bend. We need to help break down barriers that currently stop Black people from moving around safely in their own town.
We will listen, learn, be present, and take action. We will make mistakes along the way, but we are in it for the long haul and are committed to the hard work that will help our community move forward, together. And so we call on our supporters and members to do the same. We have pulled together some resources to help us all develop an anti-racist framework for our bike advocacy work.
LEARNÂ
- The Toxic Intersection of Racism and Public Space | Brentin MockÂ
- Attention Transportation Advocates: Race Is A Part Of The Work | Dara Baldwin
- Bikes Are Freedom | Ayesha McGowanÂ
- The Brown Bike Girl | Courtney Williams
- The Black Urbanist | Kristen Jeffers
- Black Women Bike | Code Switch
DONATEÂ
ACTÂ
- Register to vote
- Call/send letters to your state representatives
- Sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery
- Check out Deschutes Grassroots and Central Oregon Diversity Project to keep up-to-date with local events and opportunities
In solidarity,
The Board of Bend Bikes
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