District 4, community groups host Bike to Work Day on Third Street; organizers call for more bike lanes

Councilwoman Laura Pastor and local partners led a Bike to Work Day ride along Third Street on Wednesday, bringing cyclists, volunteers and Phoenix Police Department support to promote commuting by bicycle and highlight local bike infrastructure needs.

Organizers said the ride was intended to show enthusiasm for biking, distribute safety information and underscore remaining gaps in the city’s bike network. “Especially as we get South of Roosevelt though, that bike lane goes away. Something we're working on fixing hopefully,” said Ed Hermas, who identified himself as a ride leader.

The event was organized by Pastor’s District 4 office with Urban Phoenix Project as a central coalition partner and sponsorship or support from Tempe Bicycle Action Group, Downtown Phoenix Inc., Keep Phoenix Beautiful and Valley Metro. Jack Ketchum of the Tempe Bicycle Action Group gave riders a safety briefing, using an acronym called ALERT to summarize precautions: “A for aware… L for lawful… E for eye catching… R for ride ready… T for telegraph,” he said.

Nicole Rodriguez of the Urban Phoenix Project acknowledged donated raffle prizes and financial support, saying Philip Scheinbein contributed $2,500 to the event. Duane Allen, owner of Big Marble, was identified as a prize donor, and volunteers from District 4 and community groups staffed the ride and logistics.

Organizers asked that riders keep together and follow traffic controls; Phoenix Police Department officers assisted with traffic at intersections to allow the group to travel southbound on Third Street, and a volunteer served as the caboose to keep the group intact. Pastor said organizers plan to hold next year’s Bike to Work Day in April to better align with biking season.

Speakers and volunteers noted progress in local bike infrastructure while stressing work remains to make streets safer for cyclists. Pastor said she felt renewed after riding: “Once I got on that bike, I felt very free,” she said. Event organizers encouraged continued advocacy for bike lanes and broader community participation in future events.

The ride doubled as outreach — distributing shirts and food and promoting Urban Phoenix Project sign-ups — and as a demonstration of remaining infrastructure gaps that organizers say they will continue to press the city to address.