Our Pride Ride with the Ladies Bike Night Group in Fernie was a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, celebrate Pride, and create a space where everyone could feel welcome, included, and—most importantly—have FUN!
We planned the ride as a community-focused event where people could come together on bikes, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate LGBTQ2S+ folks and allies in a relaxed and positive environment. The Ladies Bike Night Group helped create a welcoming atmosphere, and the event was shaped by the idea that cycling should be something everyone can enjoy, regardless of experience or background.
One of the most rewarding parts of the project was seeing how quickly a sense of community developed. There was lots of laughter, encouragement, conversation, and connection throughout the ride. Creating a space that felt inclusive wasn’t just about organizing the ride itself—it was about making sure people felt comfortable showing up exactly as they were.
Like any community event, there were details to work through along the way, from coordinating participants and logistics to making sure the ride was accessible and welcoming to a range of people. We learned that creating an inclusive event is as much about the atmosphere and relationships as it is about the practical planning. Small things—being intentional about language, welcoming newcomers, encouraging people along the way, and making space for everyone—can make a big difference.
The biggest takeaway for us was how valuable it is to create opportunities for people to connect through shared activities and a sense of belonging. The Pride Ride showed us that there is a real appetite for events that combine movement, community, celebration, and fun.
We are so grateful to everyone who came out, participated, encouraged others, and helped make the ride such a positive experience. It was wonderful to see people riding together, connecting with one another, and celebrating Pride in our community. We hope to continue creating spaces like this where people can get on their bikes, be themselves, and have a really great time together.
