If you’ve never been on a Friday Night Lights before, what are you waiting for?! They’re a night time bike ride and are a sight to see and an experience to be a part of.
The rides see a few hundred folk on each and every ride who deck out their bicycles in colourful lights, fun bells, decorations and more as we visit 3 establishments in Windsor, Ontario. We’ve even had some disco balls and a chandelier attached to some bikes. It’s crazy!
For more information on Friday Night Lights, be sure to follow WindsorEats on Facebook. We recommend you purchase tickets in advance.
To make sure you have the best experience you can on our rides, we’ve put together this short list of guidelines:
CHECK YOUR BIKE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
A good ride is a smooth ride. Make sure your bike is in good working order before you arrive. Check for low air, oil on the chain, etc. If you don’t feel like doing it yourself, Infinity Cycle will have a tent on site offering those services for a small fee.
Infinity Cycle will be at the starting location providing basic help and maintenance if needed.
DECK YOUR BIKE OUT IN BRIGHT, COLOURFUL LIGHTS
Lights on a bicycle are now legally required. Friday Night Lights asks you to take that law to another level. Flashing LEDs, colourful displays and more have been used. Our riders get quite creative decorating their bikes with one couple even having a fully functioning chandelier hanging between them on their tandem bike!
DON’T HAVE A BIKE? RENT ONE!
If you or someone you know needs a bicycle for Friday Night Lights, WindsorEats has bicycles available for rent through the online shop.
COME READY TO HAVE FUN
That’s what these rides are all about! It’s keeping a fun, positive attitude, mingling with others and treating everyone with respect.
THE STOPS ARE A SECRET
For a multitude of reasons, the establishments being visited on each ride are kept secret. Please don’t ask. If a friend is supposed to be meeting you at the first stop, text them when you get there as there’s plenty of time (approximately an hour) at each location.
WEAR A HELMET
We always encourage bicycle safety and the use of a helmet.
NO ALCOHOL TO BE CONSUMED IN PUBLIC SPACES
It’s against the law to consume alcohol in public spaces. To keep the ride in good standing with the community, we ask that you respect it.
Windsor Police Auxiliary units support the ride and join in the fun with us, making sure we’re all safe. They also ensure that all rules and laws are being followed.
BRING CASH
We bring a lot of people to these businesses in one short, quick burst. Lineups are inevitable so using cash helps reduce the amount of wait time to order any beverages or food.
LISTEN TO OUR CORKERS
This rule is so important. We have a team of Corkers on each ride that help ensure the safety of riders. Listen to them. Corkers will try to block busier intersections that are critical to ensuring the safety of our riders while they traffic lights are green. While we do take an entire lane, we ask that you stay to the right of the lane so our corkers can safety pass by you on the left hand side. This is important for everyone’s safety.
DON’T GO AHEAD OF YOUR LEAD CORKERS
There will always be Corkers at the front of the group who are making sure everyone is safe and on the route. Do not ride in front of them.
STOP AT RED LIGHTS
We need to follow the rules of the road. Unless instructed otherwise by your corkers, be prepared to stop at intersections with traffic lights and stop signs.
DON’T RIDE ON SIDEWALKS
It’s not legal to ride on the sidewalk. Enough said.
COMMUNICATE
Shout out signals, stops, turns, let riders know you’re passing on the left, point out glass or potholes. Basically, be courteous.
BE COURTEOUS
Didn’t your mamma teach you any manners? Be nice to people and make some new friends.
AGAIN, BRING LIGHTS AND BELLS
The ride is called Friday Night LIGHTS! The lights are obvious, but, the bells are just as fun.
STAY TOGETHER
If you see a gap forming, ride a little faster to keep the group together.
STAY HYDRATED
Bring a bottle of water to keep on hand while you ride.
BE SAFE
It is up to you to ride in a manner that ensures your safety and the safety of those around you.
DON’T LITTER
Do we really need to explain this? It’s just not acceptable. Call the litterbugs out and help us keep the city clean and the ride in good standing with the community.
BE CREATIVE
It’s a night ride, so light up your bike, helmet, whatever you want! We’ve had people show up with themselves covered in glow-in-the-dark paint!
AGAIN, HAVE FUN
We are pretty excited about these rides and are getting a great response from everyone. We encourage everyone to come out in a good mood, join us and have a great time!
