Indoor record ride benefits PeopleForBikes, draws attention to bike safety issues
BOULDER, Colo. — In a fundraising effort to support PeopleForBikes and focus on bike safety, attorney and athlete Megan Hottman is going to pedal indoors for 28 hours in a row.
Hottman and her team of 25 riders are attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest static cycling class. Their goal is to pedal for 28 consecutive hours (the current record is 26 hours). Each participant will ride the equivalent of 250 miles. The world record attempt is scheduled for Dec. 1 at Cyclebar Southwest Plaza in Littleton, Colo.
In her professional life, Hottman, nicknamed the “Cyclist Lawyer,” is a noted attorney who exclusively supports bike riders injured in crashes. She devotes much of her time to getting more people on bikes through advocacy and education.
“I believe bikes have the power to change the world,” said Hottman. “Bikes make us happier, healthier people, and improve the communities we live in. If cycling were safer, and if more people felt they could transport themselves by bike, or exercise by bike, safely, it would and could change our entire society.”
Hottman says her attempt to break the world record comes at a time when the bicycling world has reached a point of maximum frustration — fed up with unsafe streets and mounting numbers of crashes and deaths. 2018 marked the deadliest year for U.S. bike riders since 1991 with 857 fatalities.
“There are proven techniques to make streets and cities safer for everyone, and PeopleForBikes is leading the way in helping communities make these changes,” said Hottman. “I’m excited to be raising money for an organization that is dedicated to making every bike ride better.”
“PeopleForBikes has awarded more than $10 million in grants to great bike projects and organizations in the last 15 years,” said PFB President Tim Blumenthal. “So much more needs to be done to make biking safer and accessible everywhere. We are so grateful for the time-tested ambassador efforts of Megan Hottman and wish her and her team great success on their record attempt.”
Hottman’s world record attempt is being chronicled by Ryan Avery and the Breaking History team, a media organization that works with local organizations and sponsors to break world records and increase awareness of key challenges facing communities.
All money raised during the world record attempt will support the PeopleForBikes general fund. To donate and learn more, visit http://peopleforbikes.org/breaking-history.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is making better biking for everyone by uniting millions of individuals, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities. When people ride bikes, great things happen. Join us at PeopleForBikes.org, and visit Ride Spot at ridespot.org.
