On September 7, 2024, our Northern Kentucky community came together for an inspiring Meet the Candidates Ride, where around 30 riders joined seven local candidates to advocate for safer, more accessible streets for biking, walking, transit, and driving. This event wasn’t just about enjoying a ride through the community—it provided a powerful, hands-on learning experience for both candidates and community members, fostering dialogue about the necessary changes to improve our streets for everyone.

We extend a special thank you to the candidates who participated: Newport Mayor Tommy Guidugli, Newport Commissioner Ken Rechtin, Aaron Sutherland, Aaron Wolpert, Tim Acri, Cari McMurtry Garriga, Steve Gastright, and Brant Owens. Your willingness to listen and engage with the community is truly appreciated, and we look forward to collaborating on future advocacy efforts that prioritize safety, sustainability, and vibrant streetscapes in Northern Kentucky.

A HUGE shoutout to our incredible partners and co-hosts—CORA (Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance), Queen City Bike, ReNewport, and Ride the Cov. Your support and collaboration made this event possible, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

The 2024 Meet the Candidates Ride was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Murray & Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation.

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Cincinnati Meet the Candidates Ride: A Legacy of Advocacy

Tri-State Trails first launched the Meet the Candidates Ride in Cincinnati in 2017, aiming to get city council candidates on bikes during campaign season. The goal was to showcase biking conditions and build relationships that would lead to change. The inaugural event featured bikeways and trails ranging from ones that already functioned as safe pathways to streets needing major upgrades. The inaugural event attracted around 80 participants, including 13 out of 24 city council candidates.

Wade Johnston, executive director of Tri-State Trails, noted, “We wanted to raise this issue for candidates before they were elected and show there’s a constituency for bicycling and trail building.” The impact was significant: a majority of candidates, including five future council members, participated in that first ride.

Since then, Cincinnati has made strides in expanding its cycling infrastructure. With strong advocates for biking and walking now on the city council and in the mayor’s office, the ride has influenced city traditions. For instance, in 2022, Councilmember Mark Jeffreys, a former participant in the Meet the Candidates Ride, suggested organizing a bike ride to the mayoral inauguration, where four council members and newly elected Mayor Aftab Pureval participated. This tradition continued in 2024, with seven of nine council members biking a five-mile route that included the Central Parkway Protected Bike Lane, a facility they had recently funded.

As Council Member Meeka Owens reflected, “Participating in the Meet the Candidates Ride has been an eye-opening experience for me as an elected official. Riding with constituents on trails, bike lanes, and with traffic has helped me better understand what infrastructure we should be funding in the city budget. People feel safest when they are fully separated from car traffic.”

Lessons Learned for Future Rides

From our experiences, several key lessons have emerged:

Remember, It’s a Long Game: While the event effectively demonstrates the current state of civic infrastructure, revitalizing and connecting the public realm takes time. It’s essential to view the ride as a way to build relationships with candidates while fostering action and investment over the long term.

Showcase What’s Working — and What Needs More Support: The route highlights a variety of bikeway types and roadway conditions, helping candidates see both successful elements and areas for improvement. Adjustments over the years have drawn attention to new priority areas while showcasing the council’s achievements, making their legislative decisions more tangible.

Make It Easy for Candidates to Say “Yes”: To boost participation, every council candidate is invited, emphasizing the event’s non-partisan nature. Communication with campaign teams rather than city staff helps ensure better engagement. Scheduling the event well in advance, avoiding conflicts, keeping routes short, and providing necessary equipment makes participation easier. Additionally, the event includes time for each candidate to speak and features a photographer capturing publicity photos along the route.

Together, these rides embody our commitment to building safer, more connected, and vibrant communities. Let’s continue this momentum as we work toward a future that prioritizes the needs of all residents in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati!