SAN ANTONIO \u2013 The East Side celebrated its inaugural \u201cFreedom Bike\u201d event Saturday morning, drawing more than 100 riders for a fundraising race through Martin Luther King and South Side Lions parks.<\/p>\n
Black Girls Do Bike: San Antonio and Ghisallo Cycling Initiative collaborated to host the ride event ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. March.<\/p>\n
The ride had four, eight and 15-mile routes to Southside Lions Park and back to MLK Park. A less-than-half-mile Freedom Loop route that went through MLK Park.<\/p>\n
Cristina Solorzano, a member of Ghisallo, said the strong turnout showed the community coming together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat brought me out here was the community,\u201d Solorzano said. \u201cHaving people come out on a really cold morning and just showing up and being here is awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with the ride, organizers offered free bike-riding lessons for children and adults, focusing on safety and road awareness.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things we do at Ghisallo is empower people with education,\u201d said Alexis Rodriguez, a program coordinator with Ghisallo. \u201cCyclists have rights to be on the road; they are road users just like vehicles, so they have rules to follow as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodriguez said the event kept a strong focus on helmet fit and overall safety.<\/p>\n
She added that hosting a free event on the East Side helps remove barriers and build confidence for new riders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are really fun events,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cYou visit stations, you gain community riding with other people, and you feel a sense of empowerment being out there in nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Freedom Bike event was one of several activities leading up to the 39th annual MLK March on Monday.<\/p>\n