Bicycling

Rolling with the Real Rydaz Low Rider Bike Club

The Real Rydaz Low Rider Bike Club are comprised of around 30 riders, and distinguished from other groups by the insane amount of detail that goes into crafting their custom bikes. It's all for a good cause, however. They hope that by riding with pride through the streets of their communities--communities where recreational riding is sometimes rare--they are sending a message about the importance of being healthy to youth and adults alike. It is a real club with dues and a probationary period.

By Sahra Sulaiman

9:19 AM PST on February 10, 2012

The Real Rydaz Low Rider Bike Club are comprised of around 30 riders, and distinguished from other groups by the insane amount of detail that goes into crafting their custom bikes. It’s all for a good cause, however. They hope that by riding with pride through the streets of their communities–communities where recreational riding is sometimes rare–they are sending a message about the importance of being healthy to youth and adults alike. It is a real club with dues and a probationary period.

Potential members must ride with the group for a probationary period of 45 days so that members can assess the extent to which that person will enhance the group and follow the rules, particularly when out on the road with the group. Once the period has passed and the person is approved, they can begin to invest in building up their bikes. The group is still a work in progress, says manager Shuntain Thomas. They are set in their mission of building bridges between health and kids, but are still strategizing on the best way to accomplish that goal.

In the meanwhile, they can be found at Exposition Park on Saturdays or riding in parades. Next up: the Black History Parade in Pasadena on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m.

Sahra Sulaiman

Sahra is Communities Editor for Streetsblog L.A., covering the intersection of mobility with race, class, history, representation, policing, housing, health, culture, community, and access to the public space in Boyle Heights and South Central Los Angeles.