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National Women Cycling Forum

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Currently at the National Women Cycling Forum, with an inspiring panel of women, all hoping to increase the number of women on bicycles in our country.

Veronica Davis: Co-founder of Black Women Bike
Andrea Garland: Planner at Alta Planning+Design
Nelle Pierson: Events Coordinator for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Marla Streb: Former professional cyclist of 16 years, works with all-female Team LUNA Chix
Elysa Walk: General Manager of Giant Bicycle

Did you know that 55% of daily bicycle riders in the Netherlands is female?! That’s our hope for the future of biking in our country…

Everyone’s got great ideas about how we can accomplish such a seemingly simple goal:

-Inspire someone: Find a female you know, ask her why she doesn’t ride a bike, and try to address her concerns directly. Take her on a ride around the block, show her a bike she loves, each person counts!
-Become a mentor to a younger female: Leading by example is a powerful tool.
-Continue the conversation: What do you think would help get more women on bikes? Let us know, we want to help you make it happen!
-Speak up: For products that represent you… With the ideas you have to increase the number of women on bikes… For the future female bikers of America
-Get involved: Become a member, volunteer at your local organization so they can better represent women.

There are so many great things happening for women and bicycles right now, stay tuned for more as we have time to share it with you from Washington DC!

Maya Pedal Association

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We’ve posted about how we think bicycles can help change the world, every now and then we are forwarded cool links that prove our point. This is no exception, and we are extremely inspired by it.

The Maya Pedal Association takes broken down bicycles and turns them into pedal-powered machines called bicimaquinas. These hand built wonders include a water pump, corn thresher, coffee depulped and so many more.

One of the best parts is that they also create and upload build instructions for some of these devices. Now anyone can go out and create the bicimaquina of their dreams with knowledge and inspiration from the Maya Pedal Association… Let’s get to building!

Tools for Schools Meeting

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Rideshare is hosting a free Safe Routes to School Resource meeting for anyone who wants to know the Tools for Schools.  The workshop is ideal for current School Champions and new volunteers who want to bring programs to their school. At the meeting you will:

  • Receive information on free local resources to boost your Safe Routes to School Program, including mini-grants, support and more!
  • Learn about other programs in SLO County
  • Get your specific questions answered

When: Tuesday, February 7 2012, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Where: Community Room at the SLO Library, 995 Palm St, SLO (map)

This is a great chance to bring Safe Routes to Schools programs to your school, allowing our kids a safer, healthier way to get to school.

2011 Downtown SLO Holiday Parade

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Once again, there will be a bicycle group in the downtown SLO Holiday Parade! This year’s theme is “Beary Merry Christmas”

When: This Friday, December 2nd, 6:30pm
Where: Broad and Monterey St, SLO Holiday decorations required. (No Santa Costumes)
What: Holiday decorations required… get your bike decked out! (NO Santa costumes)

More information can be found on the Downtown Association’s site here, and here.

Women, Bikes and Business

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Here at the Coalition, we know that bicycling is an all-inclusive movement: the more the better! The Huffington Post currently has a great article about why women on bicycles is good for business, and our future. Seems like we’ve been seeing more bicycle related articles on the press these days, a great sign for the future of bicycles and much more…

And, while bike-related terms are certainly “trending,” you’d miss out if you thought that was all it was. Biking represents a simple activity and lifestyle change that could affect so many of the big, societal issues we face today: carbon emissions, urban transportation, and obesity — as well as some that are not given the priority they should, such as community-building and connection with nature.

-Andrea Learned

photo via copenhagencyclechic.com

Video: “Girls On Bikes”

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San Francisco based designer Philip Lim used women on bicycles as the core of the launch of his fall/winter 2011 collection. Girls on Bikes is directed by Andrew Paynter, with music by Kraftwerk.

Bicycle Collision Statistics

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Ever wondered what causes bicycle collisions? The answers might surprise you!

Still worried about crashing? Take one of our free Education Workshops to learn some techniques to avoid them while riding on the road.

Of the 18% involving motor vehicles…

Member Profile: Vanessa, Ella & Cora

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Vanessa Amerson, San Luis Obispo

How long have you been a Coalition member? 2008

When did you start bicycling? When I was 6 on a cruiser with wooden blocks on the pedals

Why do you bike? I hate Cars and parking and paying for parking. And I like saying “good morning” to neighbors and chatting with friends

How many bikes do you own? 5, all very different

How often do you ride? Commutishly about 10 trips a week

What kind of riding do you do? Costumed SLO-hemian, Amateur Ballet

What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in our area? Joined the people to create a voice of advocacy

What changes/improvements have you seen since you lived here? Bike Blvd, Bike Kitchen, Bike signal, Bike parking

What additional changes would you like to see? Better Bike facilities at the Elementary and Jr. High Schools

What’s your favorite ride? To and from school with my daughters

What’s your advice to encourage others to get on their bikes? If you find a bike you love you are more likely to ride it and a bike doesn’t have to be expensive to fall in love with it.

How do you get involved with Coalition? I encourage parents and kids to practice riding together at Kidical Mass

What’s your favorite Coalition program? The Bike Kitchen

Anything else you want to add? Biking makes happy easily accessible.

Cora, San Luis Obispo

When did you start bicycling? When I was 4

Why do you bike? Because it’s fun

How many bikes do you own? 2

How often do you ride? Very often with my dad and most of the time with my mom

What kind of riding do you do? Regular riding

What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in our area? Help with Kidical Mass

What changes/improvements have you seen since you lived here? None

What additional changes would you like to see? I want everyone to like me

What’s your favorite ride? Kidical Mass

 

Anything else you want to add? Ella’s bike is shiny and mine isn’t

Ella, San Luis Obispo

When did you start bicycling? When I was 5

Why do you bike? It’s fun

How many bikes do you own? 2

How often do you ride? Whenever I’m with my mom

What kind of riding do you do? Kidical Mass riding

What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in our area? Keeping people safe when they’re riding bicycles

What changes/improvements have you seen since you lived here? I’ve seen a lot of people on bikes.

What additional changes would you like to see? A BIG sign in front of Bike Valet that says “Bike Coalition”

What’s your favorite ride? SLO Little 500

What’s your advice to encourage others to get on their bikes? All you have to do is pedal

How do you get involved with Coalition? I tell my friends about Kidical Mass

What’s your favorite Coalition program? Kidical Mass because sometimes the Childrens Museum brings crafts and you can put them on your bike

Anything else you want to add? When people help out at the Kitchen they help people get their bikes fixed and that makes people happy.