Down by the River Bike Ride

Our pedal-powered ride is inspired by Margie Richard, the former president of Concerned Citizens of Norco. Margie led her community in a successful campaign for a fair buyout of homes contaminated by Shell Oil, and she invoked the past for power and motivation. “If my ancestors were willing to be killed for standing up to slavery,” she often said, “I can surely stand up to Shell.”

The Slave Revolt of 1811 in what is now St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Jefferson Parishes was the largest uprising of enslaved people in U.S. history. Many descendants of the revolt fought in the Civil War — and while this is a long, proud history, scars remain. Local officials continue to celebrate the history of the plantation owners, rarely referring to enslaved people and instead focusing on fine china and fancy furniture.

Down by the River provides a perspective rooted in the reality of this region’s violent past, applying this history to today’s environmental justice movement. Your bike ride will be co-led by people who live and work on the front lines to protect Louisiana (and our planet!) and the people and places we love.

We can take groups as small as 5 riders and as large as 35. Tours typically are 2.5 - 3hrs long and cover approximately 7miles.

Let's ride down by the river for a cleaner, greener Louisiana! 🌊