Cruise through the south side during a community bike ride on Sunday, October. 26.
Southside United for Indianapolis Trails will host a 1-year birthday celebration with an hour-long ride through central Perry Township.
Marion County currently has over 90 miles of greenways, but the south side has minimal sidewalk and trail infrastructure.That makes it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to stay safe.
Ben Easley, leader of Southside United for Indianapolis Trails, said the ride aims to raise awareness about which streets are safer for non-motorists to navigate until more trails are added.
“These community bike rides are demonstrating that you can ride your bike on the south side,” Easley said, but “you may have to be cognizant about where the safe places are.”
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works aims to add roughly 30 more trail miles by 2028. Residents can provide feedback online to help shape the future of Marion County’s trails.
“Another thing we’re doing is rallying southsiders to be like, ‘Hey, do these lines make sense to you in your neighborhood for potential future trails?’” Easley said. “‘What other kinds of projects would you suggest?’”
Southside United for Indianapolis Trails has worked to support the city’s efforts. This fall, the group was awarded $10,000 through Health By Design’s safe routes to school grant. The organization works to improve local transit statewide.
Southside United for Indianapolis Trails will use the funds to implement traffic calming measures such as water barriers and reflective tape along Troy Avenue, between Shelby Street and Carson Avenue. The project, located near Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle School, will narrow that segment of Troy Avenue to one lane.
The project is expected to be completed next year, once it’s approved by the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Southside United for Indianapolis Trails hopes to unveil the area and provide 150 helmets to Emma Donnan students before hosting a local bike ride that correlates with national bike to school day in late spring 2026.
If you go
The southside community bike ride will be hosted by Southside United for Indianapolis Trails, Central Indiana Cycling, Indiana Trails Community and Bicycle Garage Indy. Residents can view the route for the bike ride in advance.
Cyclists will begin the ride through Perry Township at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, in the parking lot of Papa John’s, 1630 E. Southport Road.
The ride is free, but residents can donate online to support the group’s efforts to expand trail infrastructure.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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