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Well, it’s finally happening: The Byko Safe Bike Ride is tomorrow! With the help of Alexandria Schneider and Ron Ashworth, we’ve successfully raised more than $2,000 for the People’s Emergency Center (so far — there’s still time to sign up), in the name of going on an 11-mile ride throughout the city with longtime-Philadelphia Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky, a person who dedicates lots and lots (and lots) of ink to shaming so-called scofflaw cyclists and bike lanes on streets he feels, based on his opinion, don’t need them.

Rain is in the forecast, but the ride is happening no matter the weather. I’ve attached the official press release to the bottom of this blog, and you can download it here. There still room to join the ride — so lovers and haters alike, we’d love to see you all there!

The ride begins at 11am tomorrow, will go 11 miles around the city, and end at McGillin’s Ole Ale House in Center City. Sign up here if you haven’t yet.

Newsworks did a segment on the ride, too, which you can listen to here.

Media Advisory

Contact: Trish Downey, Manager of External Communications, 267-334- 5778 (cell), 267-777- 5811, tdowney@pec-cares.org

Bykofsky and Bike Advocates Call a Truce with a Fun and Safe Charity Bike Ride

Proceeds from Peace Pact to Benefit People’s Emergency Center

WHEN: Saturday, May 7 10:30am-1:30pm

WHERE: Dilworth Park at City Hall (start), McGillin’s, 1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (finish)

WHAT: Stu Bykofsky, of the Philadelphia Daily News, will be the Grand Marshal of the first Byko Safe Bike Ride – a charitable event benefiting People’s Emergency Center that marks the first peace treaty between the celebrated columnist and the cheerful pedal power activists with Philadelphia Open Ride and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Over an 11-mile course from Center City to Fairmount Park and back, 50+ riders will follow all the rules of the road: helmets, stop signs, red lights, speed limits, and proper signals. The groups of riders will be identifiable by the Signe Wilkinson cartoon of Stu on a bike. The event will start at Dilworth Park and end with a gathering at McGillin’s at 13 th and Drury.

VISUALS: 10:30am-11:00am – Photo opportunities as riders line up and the ride starts at Dilworth Park, 12:30pm to 1:30pm—Photo and Interview opportunities with organizers, riders and representatives of PEC at McGillin’s

Organizers: Stu Bykofsky, Alexandria Schneider, Randy LoBasso, Ron Ashworth.

Kathy Desmond, President, PEC

WHO: Stu Bykofsky, Philadelphia Daily News

Alexandria Schneider, Philadelphia Open Ride

Randy LoBasso, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Ron Ashworth, Volunteer Organizer

Councilman Allen Domb

ABOUT: People’s Emergency Center’s (PEC) mission is to nurture families, strengthen neighborhoods and drive change in West Philadelphia. Through a community of more than 250 housing units and five educational centers offering job training, parenting and early childhood education, financial education and planning, life skills and technology coursework, PEC seeks to change the life trajectory for the women and children who seek its services and inspire them to aspire to new heights. PEC’s community development programs respond to community needs and build on neighborhood assets to help bridge the digital divide, expand mixed-income housing opportunities, stimulate economic growth, create wealth, and improve the quality of life for all West Philadelphia residents. More information at pec-cares.org and lancasteravephilly.com.

 

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