Write up: Brenda Perez, Community Engagement Manager

Photos: Sam, WBN volunteer and Vanderbilt Medical Student

On Oct 23, 2021, Walk Bike Nashville, The TN Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Assault and Black Girls Do Bike Nashville hosted the Bike and Walk to raise awareness on domestic violence. 

Tina Fox, WBN advisory committee member, a staff member at the TNCEDSA, and bike enthusiast, came up with the idea of an awareness event that would encourage newer or beginner bike riders and elevate awareness on domestic violence.  WBN happily signed up to co-host because we know that our communities are safer and thrive when we have people-centered infrastructure.

At WBN, we see our work advocating for safe pedestrian and biking infrastructure that prevents and removes isolation and barriers as a part of creating stronger, safer and healthier communities. How we design our world has such a deep impact on how we move, feel, live, and advocate for a more equitable city

Over 50 people came out on Saturday to join the 3-mile walk on the greenway, the 9-mile bike ride on the greenway, and the 25-mile city ride.  The rides and walk kicked off at Ted Rhodes Golf Course and followed the greenway.

The 25-mile ride followed the North Nashville greenway through downtown and over to Shelby Park and back. There was one rest area at the 5-mile marker staffed by two volunteers ready to fill the bike riders’ water bottles and restock their snack supply. 

At the kickoff, Tina Fox shared some stats about domestic violence rates in TN such as

  • 39.6% of Tennessee women and 36.8% of Tennessee men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
  • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes.

Although the stats are a bit sombering, it was important for the bike riders and walkers to be grounded in the reason the ride was happening. 

We believe our communities are safer and thrive when we have people-centered infrastructure

After Tina's welcome, Brenda Perez, our community engagement manager, and League Certified Instructor, shared some  bike riding safety tips such as:

  • How to signal left, right, and stop. 
  • How to verbally signal to other greenway users and 
  • Key areas to pay special attention to when riding. 

The bike riders took off first followed by the walking group led by and our amazing team of volunteers welcomed the riders back with cheers! There was only one flat tire for all of the bike riders so overall, good day, good riding, and we raised funds for a worthy cause. 

At WBN we see our work advocating for safe pedestrian and biking infrastructure that prevents and removes isolation and barriers as a part of creating stronger, safer, and healthier communities.

A special thank you goes out to Bcycles for bringing a fleet of electric/pedal assist bikes for several of the participants. 

About our cohosts:

The TN Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence mission is to end domestic and sexual violence in the lives of Tennesseans and to change societal attitudes and institutions that promote and condone violence, through public policy advocacy, education and activities that increase the capacity of programs and communities to address such violence.

Black Girls Do Bike interest is in growing and supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. We champion efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, women and girls of color.   We are establishing a comfortable place where lady cyclists can support, advise, organize rides and promote skill-sharing. We hope to demystify cycling and be a liaison to help usher new riders past barriers to entry and into the larger cycling community. We rejoice when women choose cycling as a tool for function, fitness, freedom, and fun!  Follow Black Girls Do Bike Nashville for more information on meet up rides and opportunities to connect.