Hilena Tibebe is pedaling 300 miles this week to get to the nation’s capital and make a statement for Black lives and for Black cyclists.

“Because our lives matter,” said Tibebe, 28.

Tibebe is the organizer of Ride to D.C., a group of more than 100 bicyclists riding from New York for Friday’s March on Washington, which is expected to draw thousands to the Lincoln Memorial in a rally for racial justice and equality.


The six-day ride, which culminates Thursday at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House, is in itself a civil rights protest, designed to highlight the many challenges communities of color face when it comes to biking. Participants want to raise awareness about issues like “biking while Black” and advocate for safer cycling opportunities for all people of color.

“There are racial disparities within the biking community,” said Tibebe, a high school teacher from Brooklyn. “We are fighting for access to bikes and access to road infrastructure that is suitable for bikes. Though we are focused on bikes, we’re essentially fighting for racial equality.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/bike-to-dc...