About 1,000 cyclists and 350 volunteers took over Eastside streets Sunday, Sept. 14 to ride and raise money to help fight domestic violence in Washington.
Warm temperatures and sunny skies greeted the riders in the 7th annual “Cycle the WAVE” bike rally, hosted by the Women Against Violence Everywhere (WAVE) Foundation.
Sharon Anderson, WAVE president and board chair, estimated that close to $150,000 was raised for the foundation, though fundraising will continue through the end of September.
Although falling short of the 1,200 riders WAVE was expecting to attend, Anderson was “elated” with the turnout.
“With the change of location and the new routes we had this year, we were thrilled so many turned out to ride or volunteer,” she said.
The women-only bike rally helps to raise funds the foundation uses to support domestic abuse victim support groups, crisis and shelter services, and more throughout Washington state, while also working to increase awareness that domestic violence is a very real thing.
In light of increased attention paid to domestic violence issues in the media recently, Anderson says the act of bringing awareness is “huge.”
“It is so often not spoken about, and it is a hidden problem in our community,” she said. “Women and men affected by domestic violence don’t speak about it, there is a lot of pain involved. It is a slow progression, but breaking the cycle is what we [WAVE] are about.”
Breaking the cycle and supporting those who have been victims of abuse drove many of the cyclists.
“My older sister was a victim of domestic violence, I’m out here riding because it affects my family, too,” Mary Crawford, of Renton, said.
Other riders saw the rally as a chance to foster camaraderie.
“This is an all girl thing…this is so supportive, it doesn’t matter that we don’t know each other,” Machiko Threlkeld, of Seattle, said.
On each of the four routes, ranging from the 14-mile “Little Sister” to the 61-mile “Burly Girl,” rest stations were manned by volunteers from area high schools and businesses. Volunteers wore shirts bearing a logo designed by a student at Liberty High School. Area high schools also had teams of volunteers turn out for the rally, wearing shirts that matched their school’s colors.
“It’s good to support a good activity, especially when it is one with a good cause like this,” Volunteer Cindy Enyeart said. Enyeart and other employees of Pine Lake Physical Therapy in Sammamish manned one rest station at Sammamish’s Beaver Lake Park.
This was the first year the rally was held at Bellevue College, after moving from last year’s rally point at Issaquah High School. Anderson said “Cycle the WAVE” will be at Bellevue College “for the long haul.”
“We were really thrilled with the exposure we got. It was a great day,” Anderson said.
Fundraising will continue through the end of the month, and general donations are accepted all year. For more information on WAVE and instructions on how to donate, visit thewavefoundation.org.
