Biking from NYC to DC to Speak Up for Women in Bicycling

The Women's Forum and National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. are coming up the first week in March. While many Bicycle Coalition staff will be there, one of us is getting there via bicycle.

Our Education Fellow Katie Monroe will be joining nine other women in a bike ride from New York City to Washington D.C. These women are activist leaders from WE Bike NYC, Philadelphia's own Gearing Up (Program Director Kaelin Proud), Women Bike PHL, Black Women Bike: DC, and Women & Bicycles and they're undertaking a "purposeful adventure" to get to the National Bike Summit.

Why ride to D.C.?
The number of women who commute to work by bicycle has increased 56% in the last year. Lower-income individuals (earning less than $30,000) accounted for 28% of bike trips as recently as 2009 — more than 1.1 billion bike trips overall. Yet both of these groups are woefully under-represented in national transportation conversations. So the ride's goal is to support the League of American Bicyclists’ efforts to include underrepresented cyclists at the decision-making table through the inclusion of ten voices that would not be able to attend the summit without the financial support generated by this ride.

They are raising funds to make this happen. If you would like to help Katie and her fellow adventurers on their trip to D.C., you can donate at their Indiegogo campaign. You can learn more about the ride on WE Bike NYC's website.

The women will be taking a pretty direct route from New York to Washington D.C (boring). But one stretch goal of their Indiegogo campaign* will allow them to pedal really fast and check out some of the fine small-town bike share programs in the area. (Area = Burlington, Keene, Mt. Vernon, Tulsa, and Chapel Hill.) We think it's doable in three days if they're really motivated and get up early. Plus we hear Keene, NH is beautiful in early March.

3,500 miles divided by 3 days, divided by 20 hours of biking a day...oh, I'm not a "math guy" but I'm sure this is feasible.

*The women doing the ride are unaware of this stretch goal.

Indoor Yoga and Cycling Fundraiser for Gearing Up

Want to support a local bicycle program with a social mission? Join a fun group workout? Reach your new year's fitness goals? Get fit for the summer at a warm gym? Here is an event for you!

Gearing Up, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit bicycle program for women in transition (and friend of the Bicycle Coalition), is holding an indoor cycling and yoga fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, January 26-27, at gyms throughout Philadelphia.

Sponsoring Fitness Centers 

Mayor Nutter Thanks Everyone, Drops Some Great Quotes At Bike To Work Day

"It is absolutely the best way to get to work. I always look forward to Bike to Work Day...This is the best thing I'm going to do today."

That was Mayor Nutter in Love Park this morning, speaking in front of press and a crowd of more than 100 cyclists for Bike To Work Day.

The event was well-attended by a wide spectrum of Philadelphia officials. Mayor Nutter, Deputy Mike DiBerardinis from Parks & Recreation, and Councilman Mark Squilla all participated in the ride. Deputy Mayor Rina Culter from MOTU joined us for the press conference.

One inspiring part of the event was the number of Philadelphia-based bicycling-related companies and organizations involved. In attendance was ZipCar (car-sharing), Fuji (major bicycling manufacturer), Gearing Up (bicycling-focused social service), Wash Cycle (bicycle-powered laundry service), Cosmic Cafe (food vendor for bike/ped trail), Pedal Co-Op (recycling and delivery) and Wheel Fun (bicycle rentals). Taken together, they represent a city with an established and growing bicycle culture.

Mayor Nutter used his remarks to thank a wide variety of event participants (including our own Alex Doty and Sarah Clark Stuart by name). He also hit on some important subjects for Philadelphia bicyclists: