Bicycle Ride vs Gun Violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2025 — Akron, OH
“Pedal for Peace” Unity Ride Brings Akron Police, Fire & Neighborhood Youth Together to Stand Up to Gun Violence
Bicycle Ride vs. Gun Violence (BRVGV) will launch its inaugural Pedal for Peace Unity Ride on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The 7-mile, family-friendly ride—opening with a 10 a.m. prayer at Summit Lake Community Center and looping to Lake Nesmith—puts Akron’s police officers and firefighters handlebars-to-handlebars with neighborhood youth, proving that communities can choose unity over violence.
Reggie Boyer founded BRVGV to honor the memory of his son Darrick, whose life was taken by gun violence in 2019. “Pedal for Peace turns heartbreak into motion,” Boyer says. “We want kids to see that teamwork, leadership, and safe streets are stronger than any trigger.”
SGID Media Group: The Plug That Makes It Happen
SGID Media Group has been the plug—the vital connector for strategy, volunteers, and resources—guiding Pedal for Peace from first spark to finish line.
How to Participate
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Waiver & Registration: All riders must complete an online waiver—register through Eventbrite
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Free Helmets: The first 50 kids who arrive with a bike get a free helmet.
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Donate: Contributions power BRVGV programs, including bi-weekly neighborhood bicycle rides that keep the message rolling all summer. Give at brvgv.org/donate.
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Nominate Your Block: Use the website form to bring future Unity Rides to your neighborhood and honor loved ones taken by gun violence.
Event Schedule – May 24, 2025
Time
Activity
10:00 a.m.
Community Prayer & Opening Remarks
10:30 a.m.
Ride Start (Summit Lake ➜ Lake Nesmith ➜ return)
12:00 p.m.
Hotdogs, Sausage, Pizza & Snacks
12:30 p.m.
Awards, Prize Giveaways & Ribbon Ceremony
1:00 p.m.
Vendors & Resource Booths until 1:30 p.m.
Gratitude for Gathering Spaces
BRVGV thanks House Three Thirty for opening its doors—first in Secret Coffee, then the Wine Room, and today the final planning session in The Den. Each space has fueled ideas, community spirit, and steadfast support.
Media & Contact
For press credentials, interviews, or a high-resolution QR code, contact:
SGID Media Group – Communications Team
📧 info@shegetitdone.com | 📞 330-227-8046
Web: brvgv.org | # PedalForPeace #BRVGV
About Bicycle Ride vs. Gun Violence (BRVGV)
Founded by Reggie Boyer, BRVGV is an Akron-based nonprofit that uses cycling, mentorship, and community engagement to confront gun violence head-on—one mile, one young rider, and one united neighborhood at a time.
“At Bike Rides vs. Gun Violence, we believe healing starts when communities come together around a shared purpose. By harnessing the power of cycling, we create safe spaces to address the deeply rooted traumas—particularly PTSD—left in the wake of gun violence. Through community rides, mentorship programs, and accessible mental health support, we empower youth and families to break the cycle of violence, heal from past wounds, and pedal forward toward a brighter, more hopeful future.”
About Bike Rides vs. Gun Violence (BRVGV)
Bike Rides vs. Gun Violence is an Akron-grown nonprofit that uses the energy of cycling to confront one of our city’s most urgent issues: gun violence. Every ride, event, and conversation is built around a single mission—to stop bullets before they fly by building stronger, better-connected neighborhoods.
Why Bikes?
A bike is simple, affordable, and familiar. When we roll through a block together—youth, parents, first responders, and local leaders—we turn sidewalks into safe zones, replace fear with fellowship, and prove that unity can move faster than violence.
What We Do
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Community Unity Rides – High-visibility rides through neighborhoods affected by shootings, pairing young riders with caring adults and law-enforcement allies.
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Youth Leadership & Mentorship – Hands-on programs that teach conflict resolution, civic engagement, and life skills while keeping kids in motion and off the streets.
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Violence-Prevention Education – Pop-up workshops, school assemblies, and block-talk sessions that unpack how guns circulate, why disputes escalate, and what actions save lives.
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Rapid-Response Events – When tragedy strikes, we mobilize rides, vigils, and resource fairs that honor victims and rally support for families left behind.
A Note on Trauma
Gunfire leaves wounds you can’t always see. BRVGV partners with local counselors, social-workers, and faith leaders to connect survivors with practical mental-health resources—because keeping a community safe means caring for both body and mind.
Our Vision
A city where kids race each other to the corner store instead of running from danger, where neighbors know one another by name, and where the only rounds heard on summer nights are cheers from the block.
Join us as we pedal toward a future with less gunfire and more good vibes—one ride, one conversation, and one life at a time.
Donate, volunteer, or nominate your neighborhood for a Unity Ride at brvgv.org.
"Pedaling for Peace: Choosing Bike Rides Over Violence".
Bike riding is a great way to stay active and healthy while also reducing your carbon footprint. It's a fun and eco-friendly way to get around, and can even save you money on transportation costs. On the other hand, violence can have serious and long-lasting consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator. It's important to choose peaceful and non-violent ways to resolve conflicts and differences.
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