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Forest City Slow Roll

Brought to you by London Cycle Link

General Information


WHAT IS A SLOW ROLL?

A slow roll is a free and inclusive community bicycle ride that is open to all ages and skill levels. The concept originated in Detroit, Michigan. We were inspired by Sarnia's BIG Slow Roll to make this happen in the Forest City.


WHEN AND WHERE IS THE FOREST CITY SLOW ROLL?

The Forest City Slow Roll will take place on Saturday June 3rd, 2023 at 5:00 pm, rain or shine. The date coincides with World Bicycle Day.

The FCSR will start and end at Dundas Place Block 1. This is the flex street stretch of Dundas between Ridout and Talbot, immediately north of Budweiser Gardens. We will have full use of the flex street block, so there will be no motor vehicle through-traffic during our time there. Food truck and trike vendors open at 3:30 while the organizers will be set up by 4:15 to welcome participants to check in, get their bracelets, buy treats and engage the community.

After the ride, the organizers and vendors will remain onsite for another 2 hours, so that participants and community members can enjoy a meal, music and connection.


HOW LONG IS THE FCSR AND HOW FAST DOES IT GO?

The FCSR route is around 9 kilometers long. Participants will ride at a laid-back 12 km/hr, a speed worthy of cruisers, recumbents and e-bikes carrying precious cargo (👶🏽🐶). The London Police Service escort and ride marshals will set the pace. Considering the distance, speed, and expected number of participants, we believe the ride itself will take between 45 and 50 minutes.


DOES EVERYONE NEED TO REGISTER?

Yes. The FCSR is free but all participants must be registered (even babies and children) because London Police Service needs to know our numbers and we need to address liability.

To register, sign into Race Roster or create a new user account. Then, fill out the online form. You can register multiple participants in the same transaction to make the process easier. If you encounter user account troubles, email support@raceroster.com 📧 or call 1-855-969-5515 📞 for assistance.

When you arrive on June 3rd, check in at the London Cycle Link info tent so that we can find you on our list. Only registered participants will receive a raffle ticket and the bracelet required to ride with us. Our ride marshals will enforce this rule.


SHOULD I REGISTER AS PART OF A TEAM?

If you have a group of minimum 4 people, and you intend to wear matching shirts, dress up in costume, decorate your bikes, or come with an otherwise fun theme 👕🌼🌈🎈then the team option is for you! Teams with themes will also be entered into a team prize draw and have their team photos captured by our photographers.

To get your ticket for a chance at the team prize draw, go to the LCL info tent. We'll need to see:

  • the team captain
  • 3 other team members
  • all showing off your theme


IS THERE A COST OR IS IT FREE?

It's free. The Forest City Slow Roll is financially inclusive and non-profit. The London Police Service escort is sponsored by City of London and the organizing committee are London Cycle Link members and associates who have put in unpaid time and effort into the event's planning and logistics.

Aside from the escorted bike ride, each free entry includes a raffle ticket for prizes, use of the water bottle refill station and access to Dundas Place where you can hang out with London's bike-friendly communities.

You will be welcome to purchase food from our vendors. If you want to support London Cycle Link, a donation during the registration process or afterwards will be greatly appreciated.

Rules and Guidelines


WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We recommend riding to Dundas Place on a bike with good working brakes and a bell. For yourself, we suggest wearing a helmet and some sunscreen, and having a reusable water bottle handy. Finally, bring a bike lock.


ARE HELMETS AND/OR LIGHTS REQUIRED?

All riders under age 18 are required to wear a safety-certified bicycle helmet as stated in Ontario provincial law. We strongly urge everyone to wear a helmet while riding the Forest City Slow Roll. We also suggest bringing bike lights and reflectors; they, too, are required by law starting half an hour before sunset.


ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS?

Forest City Slow Roll is a family-friendly event, for all ages. However, children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. If a child participant wants to ride their own bike, they must be able to do so at approximately 12 km/hr. Otherwise, we recommend that the child ride in a mounted seat, trailer or carrier while the adult operates the bike.

All registration forms must be completed by an adult. When an adult is registering a minor, they must select "I am completing this form for > Someone else".


CAN I RIDE WITH MY PET(S)?

Pets are welcome at the Forest City Slow Roll as long as, during the ride, they are in a panier, basket, backpack or bike trailer. To ensure safety, pets are not permitted to walk or run along with the bikes. Our ride marshals will enforce this rule.


CAN I RUN OR ROLLER SKATE ALONG, RIDE A SKATEBOARD OR SCOOTER, OR USE A MOBILITY DEVICE?

For the safety of all participants, we regret that running, roller skating and skateboarding are not permitted during the Forest City Slow Roll. Our ride marshals will also enforce this rule. The idea of the FCSR is to ride pedal bikes or e-bikes. If you believe that we should make an exception for your type of active transport vehicle, or if you require an accommodation, please contact us.


CAN I BRING A BOOMBOX/SPEAKER, OR WEAR HEADPHONES/EARBUDS?

Yes, but be mindful. If you have a large group riding together you can listen to your own music, but if everyone brings a speaker it might get too loud. Alternatively, you may wish to wear headphones or earbuds, but please ensure that the volume is low enough and that you are aware of others around you. All participants of the FCSR need to be able to hear and/or follow police and ride marshal instructions.


ARE THERE WASHROOMS ONSITE OR REST STOPS ALONG THE ROUTE?

The route will take between 45 and 50 minutes to complete, so we do not plan to stop along the way. Although we won't have washrooms onsite, you will find public washrooms at:

The Fun and the Yummy


WILL THERE BE FOOD?

Yes, available for purchase from our vendors 🚛🍟🍛🌮🧇🍦☕️


WHAT ARE THE RAFFLE PRIZES?

We are so grateful 🙏🏻 for the support our event has received from local partners, friends and associates. The Forest City Slow Roll will announce our draw winners after the ride, sometime between 6 and 7 pm. Prizes include:


IF I TAKE SELFIES OR GROUP PHOTOS, HOW CAN I SHARE THEM?

Please share them with:

  • us, London Cycle Link

facebook.com/LdnCycleLink | Twitter and Instagram: @ldncyclelink

  • our venue, Dundas Place

facebook.com/DundasPlaceLdnOnt | Twitter: @dundasplace | Instagram: @dundas_place

  • our closest partner for this event, Forest City Cycling Challenge
facebook.com/forestcitycc | Twitter: @RideLondon_CA | Instagram: @forestcitycc


Using the hashtags #ldncyclelink #ldnont #dundasplace #fccc2023 #slowroll #bikemonth is a good way to group posts together 🚲📸☀️


WHERE WILL I FIND THE PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTO ALBUMS?

Updated June 23: Here, in this Google Photos album.

The photos were taken by Rob Paterson (fotagrfx.ca / IG: @fotagrfxbyrp) and Félix Longpré (IG: @felix.longpre). Should you download a photo of yourself to post on social media or elsewhere, please give credit to the respective photographer by mentioning their full name and, if you can, tagging them in the caption or image. Thank you!

Who We Are and Why We Are Doing This


WHAT IS LCL?

London Cycle Link 🚲🧡🔗 is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to helping Londoners ride more. We were established in 2013, opened Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op (our DIY community bike repair shop) in 2017, and launched Ride to Thrive (our cycling education program) in 2021. We work to:

  • build confidence (to fix and maintain bikes, and to ride safely)
  • advocate for safe streets (at all levels of government), and
  • nurture a thriving cycling culture (through community events and partnerships)


WHAT IS FCCC AND WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?

The Forest City Cycling Challenge is an event occurring on Sunday, June 4th, the day after the Forest City Slow Roll. Starting and ending at Boler Mountain, it offers a 10 km mountain bike loop and three longer road distances. Proceeds from that event benefit St. Joseph's Health Care London. FCCC organizers were involved in the creation of the Forest City Slow Roll. Visit their 2023 event page.


WHAT IS THE MISSION OR MESSAGE?

The Forest City Slow Roll celebrates the bicycle and encourages active transportation in the city of London, Ontario, connecting people of all ages, abilities and demographics for an afternoon of fun cycling through 3 historic neighbourhoods (Old East Village, Woodfield and Blackfriars).

By using the Dundas Place flex street as our downtown venue (seconds away from the Thames Valley Parkway) and showcasing major bike lane projects during our 9 km route, we are reminded that well-designed public spaces and safe infrastructure improve quality of life of urban residents.

Streets are meant for people---pedestrians, cyclists, motorists; folks with or without disabilities; young and old. We can and must continue to find ways, just and fair, to share them.

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