'Pedal with the Prez' rolls into summer

By Mallory Stiles
Editor in Chief

Weekly bike rides with LCC President Dr. Steve Robinson himself, on some of Lansing’s best nature trails is the main attraction this summer at LCC. The series of events has been titled “Pedal with the Prez 2024.”

Robinson meets everyone under the Granger Tower, found on the downtown LCC campus, and ends every ride by buying everyone ice cream at Arctic Corner, located at 314 E. César E. Chávez Ave in Lansing’s Old Town district.

From left, Jonethon McVey, LCC President Dr. Steve Robinson and Kathy Robinson are shown in front of the Arctic Corner in Old Town during a biking break for ice cream.  Photo by Mallory Stiles

These rides are always on Wednesday evenings and away from traffic.

Under the tower, minutes before the beginning of the most recent ride on May 29, Robinson said this was the second ride of the season; the first took place on May 15.

“The first ride of the year is always coordinated with the ‘Ride of Silence,’ which is a ride in Lansing that commemorates all the cyclists who have been killed by motorists in traffic,” he said. “It’s a silent ride from Michigan State to the Capitol, led by law enforcement on bicycles.

“It’s pretty cool, so, we decided that would be the kickoff of the season.”

This is the third consecutive season of “Pedal with the Prez,” and it remains one of the only positive things to have come out of the pandemic.

“It was an employee’s idea in the beginning,” Robinson continued. “It happened during COVID. Some of my teammates noticed that I was posting a lot of pictures of bike rides and so they suggested we do a bike ride, since we couldn’t do anything else.”

These rides are meant to be a fun way for the president to interact with the LCC community, but they are also meant to inform people on how to cycle safely. Robinson said it is all about the four S’s: slow, safe, social and short.

“It’s not super long,” Robinson said, laughing just a bit. “If someone is a great long-distance cyclist, they might want to take a ride before or after, because we only go about six or seven miles.”

First Lady Kathryn Robinson also came along for the ride. She said it was her first ride of the season but not her first year participating.

“I think it is very fun,” she said. “Steve talked about the four S’s, which I think makes this ride really accessible and easy for most folks, even if they’re not serious bikes. The ice cream doesn’t hurt either.”

Attendee and former LCC employee Jonethon McVey said this was also his first ride of the year. He was excited for the ride itself, but more excited to spend some time with like-minded people having fun.  

“My favorite part about the rides is just socializing and showing a bit of community spirit,” McVey said. “That’s what bicycle rides are all about; a sense of community.”

For anyone looking to take part in future rides, a listing of each event date, time and planned route can be found here.