Philadelphia Social Rides - 2018

With spring and the return of warm temperatures not that far off, people

will be dusting off their bicycles from there long winters hibernation.

For those of you looking for rides that are shorter, leisurely, and about

socializing this is the current list of social rides in Philadelphia.

Social rides in Philadelphia are often 10 to 15 miles long, with no drops,

often involve a final destination where you can eat, drink and

make new friends. Some of the rides listed are monthly,

while others are seasonal/annual.

Monthly

Philly Full Moon Bike Ride  https://www.facebook.com/groups/156618137847919/

The Philly Full Moon Ride has been going strong since 2013. Each ride is

held on the full moon of every month, 12 months a year. This ride departs

from the Art Museum stairs and is a night ride.

Philly Bike Party - https://www.facebook.com/philliebikeparte/

This is the second iteration of the Philly Bike Party. The organizers have

been very consistent about holding monthly rides and usually work with

some kind of theme. Most of the rides depart from the Art Museum stairs

with occasional departures from The Porch at 30th St. Station and

Love Park. It is a night ride.

Taco Tuesday Ride PHL - https://www.facebook.com/tacoridephl/

Taco Tuesday is the newest ride to Philadelphia. A group of cyclists

attempted to revive the Midnight Pretzel Ride only to find that the

bakery had changed its hours. So they created the Taco Tuesday ride.

Held monthly the Taco Tuesday Ride goes to various restaurants to

eat tacos. This ride departs from the Art Museum stairs and is a night ride.

Night Cycle Philadelphia - https://www.facebook.com/phillybikeride/

A night ride that departs from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and final

stop at a local bar.

PMA Bike Ride - https://www.facebook.com/pmabikeride/  

The PMA Bike Ride delivers pizza to those in need who may be

living on the streets.

Annual

Cycle Scene PHL - https://www.facebook.com/groups/cyclescenephl/

Cycle Scene PHL has brought many of the local rides together

to create a singular resource. It is also where you can find mass

rides planned by Alexandria Schnieder. Past rides organized by

Ms. Schnieder have included; The PopeRide, RideDNC, and

Cycle en Color. All of these rides have drawn over 1000 cyclists per ride.

Philly Tweed Ride - https://www.facebook.com/phillytweedride/

Attracting an average of 100 participants, the Philly Tweed Ride is a time

machine back to 1900’s in England. Tweed and vintage bikes abound,

along with modern takes on a period look. A ride through Philadelphia

with a stop for a picnic and post ride drinks and awards that include,

best dressed, best mustache, and best bike. Held in the fall,

this is a leisurely ride.

Philly Seersucker Vintage Ride & Social - https://www.facebook.com/PhillyDandQ/

The Seersucker Social is a springtime ride with a 1920’s American vibe.

Just like the Tweed Ride this a very well dressed crowd wearing vintage

and vintage looking clothing.

Change is hard, excuses are easy.

On Saturday, March 17 the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia held a
Vision Zero Conference and I did not attend. I chose not to sit through yet
another conference listening to experts and activists talk about what should
be and could be. Or worse yet, politicians making empty promises or
excuses for why they have failed to take any action.

I was truly angry and frustrated with this paraphrased statement attributed to
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Change is hard, making excuses is easy and Mayor Kenney has really good one above.
When Kenney ran for the office he made two commitments that I was very impressed by,
“Stolen Sidewalks” and 30 miles of protected bike lanes.

In Philadelphia when buildings are being constructed or renovated the sidewalks are
often blocked off to pedestrian traffic with no safe alternative. For decades in
New York City this issue has been dealt with the creation of “sheds” scaffolding
running the length of the sidewalk with a roof on it to prevent construction debris
from falling on pedestrians. As part of Kenney’s campaign he committed to ending the
practice of stolen sidewalks. Two years later nothing has changed.

Kenney’s other campaign commitment was to build 30 miles of protected bike
lanes during his four year term. So far we only have two miles, along with multiple
attempts to install unprotected bike lanes shut down due to Councilmanic claims of
“neighborhood concerns”. Kenney’s announcement of two five block long protected
bike lanes along JFK Blvd. and Market St. should have been greeted with derisive
response of “this is the best you have to offer after two years??!!”

It does not matter how many posts on social media Mayor Kenney reads, his apology
for not making change as fast has have we wanted was misleading. Mayor Kenney
has deliberately withheld several million dollars in grants to improve bike lane safety,
claiming the money does not exist. He should be apologizing for deliberately refusing
to make changes, making him complicit.