More than 100 gather for bike ride with aim of solving violence in Baton Rouge

(WAFB)
Updated: Jun. 14, 2019 at 9:35 PM CDT
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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The hundred or so that showed up Friday evening outside the Shoppers Value on Government Street all had one goal: finding a way to stop violence in Baton Rouge.

“If we could all come together and talk about the issues and things that we can resolve the issues together as a group,” said Francis Hardnett, one of the riders at the Pedaling for Peace event. “Come together as a group because together we stand, and divided we fall.”

(Bike Baton Rouge)

Pedaling for Peace is the brainchild of District 7 Councilman LaMont Cole.

"When you have an event like this and you bring everyone together, what we end up learning is that we all want the same thing,” Cole said.

The ride was about six miles long round trip, allowing plenty of time to talk about the issues.

"Domestic violence, crime in our community, or break ins, whatever it is that makes you feel uncomfortable in your community as a result of crime is what we want to talk about,” Cole said.

State Representative Ted James says at the end of the day, this bike ride is a lot more than just a place to discuss issues; it goes a long way to build strong ties within the community.

(Bike Baton Rouge)

“It’s important that we celebrate the diversity that we have here in Baton Rouge and tonight is a shining example,” James said. “It’s a Friday night, folks could be doing so many other things, but the fact that they’re here, lockstep with the DA, the sheriff’s department, and the police department, it shows there’s a genuine concern for our city.”

Click here for more photos of the ride from Bike Baton Rouge.

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