#bikerva

Got out yesterday on what was maybe the first day that actually felt like November for the Riding through the Redlined: Climate Justice Bicycle Tour through Randolph, Maymont, and Byrd Park. Organized by Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club Virginia Falls of the James Group, the ride was a look the ongoing impact of the residential security maps from the 1930s.

Dr. Robert Nelson, Director, Digital Scholarship Lab at the University of Richmond, at a series of stops through the neighborhoods, gave an introduction on the impact of redlining on these communities. The core idea is that Richmond neighborhoods were categorized based on their desirability (including a large dose of racism), and that this has had lasting health, climate, environmental, and economic impacts. 

Devin Jefferson of the Science Museum of Virginia spoke on the environmental impact of redlining. He also brought an air quality recording kit (the small ghost pic) and we were able to record the air quality while we were riding. 

The work of LaToya Gray [2] on the displacement of the Black community was mentioned repeatedly. 

I’d always thought about redlining through the lense of the East End [2] [3] with its vast swathes of older housing stock and larger Black population. It was compelling  to ride the more compact red/yellow/blue Randolph/Maymont/Byrd Park neighborhoods and get a feel for how the nitty gritty of this played out. 

Bonus was getting to meet Barry Green and see his Brompton in action :) UPDATE: Barry has more words about the ride HERE