FRIDAY NIGHT LIT
Return of city bike event
Friday Night Lights returned without incident Friday after a few bad cyclists last month put the event on hold.
This time, two auxiliary police officers on wheels accompanied riders along the planned route around town, with stops for food and beverages along the way. Riders were also required to pay a registration fee for the first time since the event began five years ago. During the last social ride on June 15, the poor behaviour of some participants — wandering across traffic lanes, not listening to the instructions of paid guides, consuming their own alcohol in public and littering along the way — caused the ride’s abrupt cancellation. That night’s edition attracted more than 300 riders, many of whom adorned their bicycles with colourful lights, but they were forced to put down their kickstands.
“The riders were very happy and excited to have the ride taking place again,” said Adriano Ciotoli, founder and co-owner of event sponsor Winds or Eats. Around 200 participants came out to the revival event, during which there were no incidents. Ciotoli said auxiliary officers discussed adding a few more officers to future events, but the decision is theirs to make. Cyclists made stops at the Winds or Eats Street Food Fare at Lanspeary Park, the Bull and Barrel, and Walkerville Eatery. To prevent cyclists from rushing ahead to destinations before the scheduled times for those stops, the last two stops were kept a tightlipped secret.
The newly implemented ride fee covers expenses Winds or Eats and the event hosts have been absorbing until now. Cyclists under 18 still rode free, but adults 19 and older paid $5 to register online at windsoreats.com, or $10 at the Willistead Park meeting site. Wristbands identified registered participants.
Sarah Fitzgerald and her husband, Clinton, have participated in the two-wheeled excursion too many times to count.
“We started coming out a couple of years ago,” said Fitzgerald. “Every time they have it, if we’re not already busy, we’re here.”
She and her husband have both purchased $40 Friday Night Lights season passes. They encourage anyone who hasn’t tried it yet to find some wheels and join in. “We have all kinds of silly lights on our bikes, and it’s great fun to ride around in a big group,” said Fitzgerald. “The feeling of being out here together and everyone having a good time, it’s just a really relaxed, fun night to be out.” Tickets are already available for the next ride on July 27.
The feeling of being out here together and everyone having a good time, it’s just a really relaxed, fun night to be out.