Bike Ride with TX Sen. Rodney Ellis

On Saturday, the National Mall was blanketed with more than 100,000 Americans from across the country, who gathered to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs. Among the participants: Texas state Senator Rodney Ellis, a major cycling enthusiast and one of the nation’s most bike-friendly state legislators.

Back home in the Lone Star State, Ellis, a Houston native, has sponsored important legislation, led rides with Bike Texas and been a high profile champion of the many benefits of bicycling. He’s even starred on the international stage, providing one of the keynote addresses at the 2012 Velo-City conference. So, of course, the Senator wanted to take a spin around Washington, D.C. before he headed back to Texas — and we were only too honored to help organize a ride.

Working with civil rights lawyer, John Brittain, and Black Women Bike DC, we pedaled a route of civil rights sites that included iconic stops like the soaring Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and lesser-known spots like the Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove. It was the perfect end to an exciting weekend; after all, nothing says freedom like a long, leisurely bike ride. 

“I’m on my flight with a big smile,” Ellis said.

We can’t wait to ride with you again, Senator!

Additional thanks to Robin Stallings of Bike Texas and Anthony Taylor of the National Brotherhood of Cyclists for their help organizing the ride!