ST. PAUL, Minn. – July 1, 2016 – To connect residents and support economic growth, Cycles for Change today announced that it will expand its recently launched Slow Roll Twin Cities initiative, which gathers people to ride bicycles through city neighborhoods, with $57,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Funding will support the expanded development of Slow Roll Twin Cities and provide resources to hire a St. Paul community organizer. Slow Roll Twin Cities will also partner with Slow Roll Detroit to share lessons and gain insights.

Founded in Detroit in 2010, Slow Roll celebrates cities and brings the community together for group cycling explorations. It helps to build healthy, economically vibrant, connected, and people-centered cities. In 2016, Slow Roll Twin Cities will implement weekly rides that highlight diverse urban neighborhoods. The initiative is open to people of all ages and skill levels.

“The Twin Cities have received nation-wide recognition for their bicycle infrastructure – yet many people still do not feel safe and confident riding bicycles” said Jason Tanzman, Cycles for Change executive director. “We are excited about how Slow Roll can help build a vibrant and diverse bicycle culture that is equitable and welcoming to all of St. Paul’s residents.”

“The initiative helps introduce city residents to new neighborhoods, people and local businesses, working to expand opportunity in the Twin Cities, while providing an organic path toward greater civic engagement,” said George Abbott, Knight Foundation interim program director for St. Paul. 

Slow Roll Twin Cities is a collaborative initiative led by key community organizations including: Cycles for Change, a nonprofit bicycle education and advocacy organization operating two community bike shops; the Cultural Wellness Center, which works to help communities build their own capacity to address, resolve, and prevent the obstacles that stand in the way of health and wellness; St. Paul Smart Trips and the Women on Bikes initiative, which works to make it safer and easier for women and families to ride a bike in St. Paul through advocacy, education, and fun. Also supporting Slow Roll Twin Cities is Nice Ride MN, the state’s bike share program; and the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, a citywide education and advocacy organization.

The next Slow Roll Twin Cities ride will be held on July 7. The ride will begin at Cycles for Change’s St. Paul shop on University Avenue, in the Frogtown/Rondo community. The ride will explore Frogtown in the Como Lake area, and end with food and refreshments at Carty Park. The ride is free and open to all. Slow Roll rides are slow-paced rides that support riders of all ages and abilities.

Support for Cycles for Change is part of Knight Foundation’s efforts to attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of engagement. Knight has provided more than $64 million in support to the St. Paul community since 1977.

About Cycles for Change

Cycles for Change (C4C) believes in the power of the bicycle as a tool for social change. C4C’s mission is to build a diverse and empowered community of bicyclists. C4C executes its mission through programming including free weekly open shops, youth apprenticeship programs, bike grant programs, and bike maintenance and community education classes. C4C’s programming focuses on communities traditionally excluded from the bicycling movement, including women, people of color, youth, recent immigrants and low-income individuals.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.knightfoundation.org

Contacts:

Jason Tanzman, Cycles for Change, [email protected], 612-232-2737

Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, 305-908-2646, [email protected]