2025 Forest City Slow Roll

Photo: Rob Paterson

WHAT IS A SLOW ROLL?

A slow roll is a free and inclusive community bicycle ride that is open to all ages and skill levels. The concept originated in Detroit, Michigan. We were inspired by Sarnia's BIG Slow Roll to make this happen in the Forest City beginning in 2023.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE FOREST CITY SLOW ROLL?

The Forest City Slow Roll will take place on Saturday May 31st, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. This is 3 days ahead of World Bicycle Day.

The FCSR will start and end at Dundas Place Block 1. This is the flex-street stretch of Dundas between Ridout and Talbot, immediately north of Canada Life Place. We will have full use of the flex-street block, so there will be no motor vehicle through-traffic during our time there. Get there early! At 3:00 p.m., food truck and trike vendors open and by 3:30 the organizers will be ready to welcome participants to check in. Be sure you get your wristband and raffle ticket, visit our onsite sponsors, and consider buying some treats as you prepare to get rolling.

After the ride, organizers and vendors will remain onsite for another 2 hours, so that participants and community members can enjoy a meal, music and connection. Stick around for a chance to win raffle prizes!

HOW LONG IS THE FCSR AND HOW FAST DOES IT GO?

The FCSR route is around 9 kilometres long. Participants will ride at a laid-back 12 km/hr, a speed worthy of cruisers, recumbents and e-bikes carrying precious cargo (👶🏽🐶). The London Police Service escort and ride marshals will set the pace. Considering the distance, speed, and expected number of participants, the ride should take approximately 1 hour.

DOES EVERYONE NEED TO REGISTER?

Yes, definitely. The FCSR is free but all participants must be registered (even babies and children) because London Police Service needs to know our numbers and we need waiver signatures.

To register, sign into Race Roster or create a new user account. Then, fill out the online form. You can register multiple participants in the same transaction to make the process easier. If you encounter user account troubles, contact Race Roster:

📧 support@raceroster.com

📞 1-855-969-5515

When you arrive on May 31st, check in at one of the orange tents so that we can find you on our list. Only registered participants will receive a raffle ticket and the wristband required to ride with us. Our ride marshals will enforce this rule.

SHOULD I REGISTER AS PART OF A TEAM?

If you have a group of minimum 4 people, and you intend to wear matching shirts, dress up in costume, decorate your bikes, or come with an otherwise fun theme 👕🌼🌈🎈then the team option is for you! Teams with themes will also be entered into a team prize draw and have their picture captured by our photographers.

To get your ticket for a chance at the team prize draw, go to the orange check-in tent. We'll need to see:

• the team captain
• 3 other team members
• all showing off your theme

IS THERE A COST OR IS IT FREE?

It's free. The Forest City Slow Roll is financially inclusive and non-profit. The venue and rental fees are sponsored by City of London, who co-organize Bike Month. Print and digital promotional costs are all taken care of thanks to The Biking Lawyer, our Golden Sponsor. Forest City Cycling Challenge, our Partner Event, is showing us continued support though in-kind donations. We are looking for additional sponsors to help cover our police escort, prize giveaways and a volunteer appreciation dinner. Almost everyone involved is a London Cycle Link member or associate who is donating their time and effort into the event's logistics and spreading the word.

Aside from the escorted bike ride, each free entry includes a raffle ticket for prizes and access to the amenities of Dundas Place, where you can link up 😉 with London's bicycle-friendly communities.

We encourage you to purchase food and refreshments from our vendors. If you want to support London Cycle Link, Ride to Thrive and Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op via donation during registration or afterwards, that will be greatly appreciated.

Text: LGD & MM