Imagine 5,000 bicyclists riding into Detroit, the Motor City, to help bring about a different world. We see thousands of cyclists coming from every direction converging on the United States Social Forum next June, voting with their legs for a greener, cooler, fairer society. We’re taking that ride, and we invite you to join us.
Bikeit! is looking for organizers and riders to join us in the adventure of a lifetime. We see small groups leaving from Seattle and Santa Cruz; Brunswick, Georgia and Bangor, Maine; San Antonio and Sioux City; or anywhere, really. We already have people organizing from San Francisco, Chicago, Madison, Philadelphia, New York City, the Hudson Valley, Ithaca and Buffalo! All you have to do is join a group as it rides by, or organize a ride from your city or town. We see chase vehicles powered by biofuels or hybrids carrying food, camping gear, bike tools, and giving the tired biker a little respite. We see a movement to Detroit that brings a message of inspiration & motivation to every town it passes through.
Car caravans added excitement to the build-up to the first US Social Forum. The Peoples Freedom Caravan started in Albuquerque, New Mexico and wove through seven states in the South and Southwest, arriving just before the opening ceremonies. The caravan stopped at key locations for organizing campaigns along the way, and hundreds of people joined it after hearing its message of hope. Our bike caravan will energize the second forum.
The second U.S. Social Forum will open in Detroit on June 22 and run until June 26, 2010. We are now looking for organizers to recruit squads of cyclists and biofuel-powered support wagons to ride from wherever they are to the Opening March. A huge wave of smiling people on foot-powered vehicles swarming all over the Motor City. Can’t you just see it?