Ride for Peace: Hundreds of motorbikes making noise against gun violence in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Motorcyclists revved their engines loudly ahead of a tour through Cincinnati on Saturday.

If people heard them, their mission was accomplished.

The Ride for Peace event was meant to draw attention to the gun violence epidemic.

Organizers said it starts with our youth.

The motorbikes were meant to grab the attention of people to open doors to talk about gun violence.

They wanted everyone to look at other ways to solve differences rather than turning to firearms.

The event brought together families, local businesses and community leaders.

It was a collective commitment from hundreds of bikers who rolled through the streets of Cincinnati, complete with a police escort.

They were biking and uniting against gun violence.

Their mission was to make as much noise as possible so people would come out and ask what was going on.

"Anyone that's out there pulling guns and hurting our babies, this is what you're up against. You know? All these people are sick and tired of this senseless gun violence. That's what we're trying to show people, that we're tired," said Mitch Morris, Cincinnati Works' Phoenix Program director.

The ride started in Avondale and went through downtown, OTR, the West Side, Winton Terrace and more.

Morris said they go around town to spread the love.

"We get together on Saturdays and Sundays. As you see, there are a lot of people out here, but this just isn’t going to stop. This effort continues throughout the week. Every day of the week. We have to be there, all hands on deck at this time right now," said Morris.

Tiger was one of the bikers.

She said she hasn't missed a Ride for Peace since it started 13 years ago.

The stops were personal for her.

"You got to humble yourself when you ride through there and you see all the things that's going on, and it does make you want to go out there and make a difference," said Tiger.

Tiger said she loves it when the kids come up to her and ask about her ride.

It's a talking piece.

"The bikes are just something to bring them in and we can talk to them about other things in life about just being aware of firearms and just being good kids and doing the right thing in school," said Tiger.

The kids were sticking with bicycles for now, but organizers said it's all about showing them a positive future.

"If they see something, if we can show them other than what they see every day as violence or different, just a smile thing, then I think it will be a difference. But it's up to us and it starts at home as well," said Angel Kennedy, children's book author.

When Ride for Peace first started, Morris said there were only 20 bikes so seeing it grow to hundreds was positive growth and he wants to continue its popularity.

The Cincinnati Police Department reported 23 homicides in 2024 as of Saturday.

It's about the same as the reported 22 at this time in 2023.