The Riverside Light Parade has outgrown its origins as a casual neighborhood bike ride, and organizers John and GiGi Arnold are navigating the challenges that come with success.
What started as a small group of cyclists decorating their bikes with lights for evening rides through Riverside now draws more than 600 participants monthly. The dramatic growth prompted city officials to require permits and police escorts for the large-scale events, leading the Arnolds to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
“We’ve been getting away with it for three and a half years,” John Arnold said. “They were concerned about liability for us - you guys were a mile long. It’s gotten so big.”
The new requirements come with significant costs. Monthly permits average around $3,000 to cover police escort services, creating an unexpected financial burden for organizers who have kept the rides free and family-friendly since launching with co-founder Rodney Johnson.
The permit fees pay for officers to be on site an hour before the ride and stay afterward to assist with traffic control. The faster the ride completes its route, the more credit the organization receives on unused officer time, creating an incentive for efficient operations.
The Arnolds received their nonprofit status in July, timing that proved fortunate given the city meetings that followed. Rather than scale back or relocate to another city, they committed to meeting the new requirements while maintaining their Riverside roots.
“We’re not going to run away from it,” John Arnold said. “We’re just going to find solutions and keep things going. Too many people depend on us.”
The rides have become more than recreation for many participants. Families use them as monthly traditions, bringing kids who might not otherwise have opportunities for safe group cycling. The events get people out of their houses and create connections across different Riverside neighborhoods, embodying the community-building philosophy the Arnolds have maintained since the beginning.
The most recent ride marked the organization’s first with police escort, and the experience exceeded expectations.
“It was nice having the protection,” GiGi Arnold said. “Our riders didn’t have to worry about impatient cars. Our traffic marshals worked well with the officers. The officers were actually nice gentlemen. We rolled smoothly with no red lights. It was a good ride.”
The Arnolds are hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser October 11 at Riverside Airport Cafe to help cover permitting costs. Airport Cafe owner Leamo donated her venue and two employees for the event. An LA-based accident attorney, Amigo Amigo, has pledged $500 in sponsorship.
The Arnolds recognize one-time fundraisers won’t solve the ongoing expense of monthly permits. They’re exploring multiple revenue streams including concessions sales, grant applications, and partnerships with local businesses while working to keep rides free for participants.
So far, the organization has raised approximately $1,500 toward their monthly permitting needs, leaving a significant gap to close. The Arnolds are seeking recurring monthly donations, noting that contributions as small as $5 or $10 from regular participants could make the difference in sustaining the rides.
The organization has already secured grants from and received sponsorship from Inland Empire Bicycle Alliance. The Arnolds are also partnering with a thrift store on a donation drive where 12,000 pounds of donated items would generate $3,000 for the organization.
A local Lowe’s store manager, himself a monthly rider, provides discounts on supplies and recently donated $600 worth of garbage bags and tools for a raffle at the fundraiser.
The rapid growth led to another community commitment as well. The Arnolds adopted Ryan Bonaminio Park in August, where rides now launch, for monthly cleanups through the city's Adopt-a-Park program. The organization also partners with the city’s Blue Zones Project, working to raise awareness about cycling and outdoor activities as part of Riverside’s broader community wellness initiatives.
“You’re embedding yourself in the community because these types of things are permanent,” GiGi Arnold said. “We just visioned it and here it is - our footprint.”
The Riverside Light Parade meets the last Saturday of each month at Ryan Bonaminio Park. The Arnolds maintain the rides as family-friendly events with no smoking or drinking allowed. Information about the October 11 fundraiser and monthly donations is available on the organization’s Facebook page.
The couple operates two businesses in Riverside, including an e-bike sales operation through C&B Pack and Ship in Pine Center. After obtaining a dealer’s license, the Arnolds partnered with store owner Orlando to offer quality e-bikes that make participation more accessible.
“We started looking for something that we could find for a good price, a good quality bike,” John Arnold said about their approach to selecting bikes for sale.
The Arnolds emphasized their commitment to finding solutions rather than abandoning the community that has embraced their vision.
“We love what we’re doing for the community,” John Arnold said. “We’re not going to stop.”
