Northwest Side CDC To Co-Sponsor Promise Zone Bike Ride

MILWAUKEE, WI –  JUNE 2017 – Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) in partnership with Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Khalif Rainey, Black Girls Do Bike, the Wisconsin Bike Federation and Bublr Bikes, will host a neighborhood bike ride on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at Garden Homes Square. The ride will start at 2600 W. Atkinson Ave. on Milwaukee’s northwest side (route map).

The Promise Zone Bike Ride is part of NWSCDC’s goal to connect northwest side community members to one another in order to improve access to community resources. The event is also part of the City of Milwaukee’s multifaceted effort to revitalize four ‘promise zones,’ which include the Greater Old North Milwaukee zone, where the ride will take place.

“I am excited about this event to inspire residents and families to get active this summer,” said Ashanti Hamilton, President of the Common Council and NWSCDC board member. “This Promise Zone bike ride is a great opportunity to bring the community together and highlight the importance of health, being physically active, and increasing the awareness of the assets we have right here in our community that support healthy living.”

The bike ride will be a family-friendly event suitable for anyone who can ride a bike. The five-mile route will start and end from Garden Homes Square and will visit a number of important community sites in the 1st and 7th Aldermanic Districts. Bike marshals will guide riders through historic neighborhoods, past the Century City Tower and Century City I development, near major employers including DRS Power & Control Technologies and Integrated Mail. The path will also cross near schools including Samuel Clemens, Milwaukee Collegiate Academy, and Hope Christian School, along natural environment amenities including Lincoln Creek the Oak Leaf Trail, and many more sites.

“Families are my passion and I will continue to serve them by promoting connectivity and safety this summer, said Alderman Khalif J. Rainey. “I am extremely honored to provide residents the opportunity to share a ride of unity, and the Promise Zone Ride aims to provide awareness of resources and assets block-by-block in our community.”

Following the ride, festivities in Garden Homes Park will continue into the afternoon with games and educational activities organized by the Wisconsin Bike Federation’s “Share and Be Aware” ambassadors, and the annual Garden Homes “Praise 4 Peace March & Rally,” organized by Crossing Jordan Ministries.

“These are the partnerships that are helping move our community forward,” said Howard Snyder, Executive Director of NWSCDC. “We look forward to sharing the opportunities that can transform the northwest side into a preferred destination for businesses and residents to have successful businesses and live healthy lives.”

A limited number of Bublr Bikes will be available for attendees who RSVP to Arlisia McHenry at (414) 286-2206.

About NWSCDC

The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation has served the economic development needs of Milwaukee’s low-income communities since 1983. Their mission is to enhance the standard of living on the northwest side by improving the business environment for low-income communities through community economic development. The Northwest Side CDC assists with neighborhood strategic planning to improve safety, land use planning and development on the Northwest Side to spur retail growth, and numerous business and workforce development programs.

About Milwaukee Promise Initiative

The Milwaukee Promise Initiative is a multifaceted city effort to address systemic poverty, joblessness, poor health, crime and low educational achievement in city neighborhoods. Authored by Alderman Ashanti Hamilton in 2014, the initiative seeks to address conditions in four city “Promise Zones” where combined, more than 45% of households make less than $25,000 annually, the median household income is less than $26,000, and where in some areas more than 56% of the total population and more than 71% of children live in poverty.

About Wisconsin Bike Fed

The Wisconsin Bike Fed is a nonprofit organization that represents thousands of members and the interests of the 2.5 million residents and visitors who ride bikes in Wisconsin every year. Their mission is to cultivate, motivate and unite a strong community of citizens as well as business and political leaders to move bicycling forward in Wisconsin – through education, legislation and involvement.

About Black Girls Do Bike

Black Girls Do Bike is a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. They champion efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, black women and girls. They work to create a comfortable place where female cyclist can support, advise, organize meet-ups/rides and promote skill-sharing. Ultimately, Black Girls do Bike seeks to share positive images of ladies and their bikes to affirm the truth that black girls do indeed bike.

About Bublr Bikes

Bublr Bikes is Milwaukee’s bike share program that connects riders to various locations in the city and suburbs with over 50 stations across Milwaukee. Their mission is to deliver a sustainable, excellent bike share system for all and make bicycles an accessible, convenient and integrated travel option for everyone.

About Praise for Peace March & Rally

The Praise for Peace March & Rally is an annual event organized by Crossing Jordan Ministries which aims to promote non-violence in communities by providing the necessary resources to enrich lives. They do this by hosting marches and rallies which provide entertainment, free food, and resources in a safe environment.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.