Community Ride
What You Will Do
On a Bike & Build Community Ride, participants hop on a bike and ride throughout their city to meet with housing leaders and changemakers. They’ll learn about the challenges their city faces, affordable housing victories, and how they can get involved.
Who You Will Meet
1. HomeSource east tennessee
HomeSource east tennessee’s mission to strengthen our communities by providing sustainable housing opportunities. Read more here
2. Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC)
KCDC strives to improve neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives, and fostering self-sufficiency. Learn more about their work here.
3. Volunteer Ministry Center
VMC’s Mission is to facilitate permanent supportive housing for those who are homeless and to provide services to prevent homelessness. Learn more here.
How You Will Get There
Grab a helmet and a bike, we are going for a ride! On this ride, you can bring your own bike (BYOB) or connect with our team to get set up with a rental.
Need Equipment? Contact us at [email protected]!
COVID Protocol: Bike & Build will ensure that all Community Ride participants, leaders, and organizational partners follow updated CDC guidelines to mitigate the risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and provide up to date details for all of our participants and partners.
Route Itinerary
8 hours, 8-12 miles
9 AM: Group meets for daily “Route Meeting” at Suttree Landing Park to review the day’s partners, a general route overview, and safety protocols for the ride.
10 – 10:30 AM: Ride 3-4 miles to Homesource east tennessee office
10:30 – 11:30 AM: Learn from Homesource east tennessee about their work
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Ride to the Museum of Infinite Outcomes for Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Eat!
1:00 – 1:30 PM: Ride 3-4 miles to KCDC’s Western Heights Residential site location
1:30 – 2:30 PM: Hear from KCDC about their work
2:30 – 3 PM: Ride 2-3 miles to Volunteer Ministry Center’s office
3 – 4:00 PM: Hear from VMC about their work
4:00 – 4:30 PM: Ride back to Suttree Landing Park; group discussion and reflection about the day, highlights & takeaways
5 PM: Goodbye!
Community Rides FAQ
Why does the ride cost $50?
Your $50 fee for this ride can be considered a donation to Bike & Build so we can continue designing and implementing an array of programming to impact affordable housing and engage people in the cause. In addition, the funds will enable Bike & Build to work with a Ride Coordinator to:
- Organize cycling safety basics trainings
- Coordinate with local affordable housing organizations
- Provide lunch
- Secure sufficient insurance coverage for the ride
What about Financial Assistance?
Bike & Build offers financial assistance for those needing support for costs related to Community Rides. Connect with our team member to learn more about available assistance >>
Email [email protected]
Seems cool, but I don't have a bike. What do I do?
Everyone is welcome to BYOBike, but if you don’t have one then you have a few options.
- Bike & Build will work with your Ride Coordinator to communicate with local bike shops about potential rentals
- Bike share! Most cities have bike share options (Citibike, Indego, Lyft, etc) that are likely suitable for these rides.
If you want to participate, Bike & Build will work with you to make sure you have the wheels to get you through the ride.
How long are the rides?
These rides will range from 10-25 miles and last about 6-8 hours. Each ride will include meetings with housing-related groups in your community, lunch stops, and water breaks. We’ll be giving you the tools to make sure you have a safe and impactful experience with us including cycling safety trainings, urban riding basics and assistance with finding a bike (if needed).
What about COVID-19?
Safety is our biggest priority whether it’s on the bike, on a build site, or however you are participating in our programs.
Bike & Build will ensure that all Community Ride participants, leaders, and organizational partners follow updated CDC guidelines to mitigate the risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and provide up to date details for all of our participants and partners.
