Community Stories: Jason Hall, Detroit

We started the Slow Roll in 2010 with the simple intention to bike with friends. At first there was only 10 of us. It grew to about 40 people, which I thought that was great. I had no clue what was to come.

In the third year, we really started gaining momentum. I left WDIV – where I’d worked for a decade. My mom and most of my family thought I was crazy, but I believed in the potential of this amazing community we were creating. The Apple iPad commercial was a major turning point for me and for the city. On some days we’d have up to 4000 people cruising bikes through Detroit neighborhoods. We were bringing people and money into the city each season. More importantly, we were bringing people together.

I’m still amazed by the number of people who have a Slow Roll story to share. From the seniors who dusted off old bikes that hadn’t seen the light of day for years, to the family who travelled from Germany just to participate, the impact on people from all age groups and backgrounds continues to be incredible.

When I think about my story, like the stories of a lot of people who look like me, and the story of Detroit – it’s about rebirth. From my early days as a chubby kid on a skateboard, to the Slow Roll, to my current mission to get everyone on eBikes, it’s been a journey of discovery. We built this massively beautiful thing because we took a leap. Black people have never been afraid to try something new – from those who left plantations and moved North in search of a better life to the entrepreneurs of today. My advice is always, if you feel like you can jump, take the leap.

Jason Hall is the owner of RiDetroit, partnered with Electric Avenue Bikes.

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