The first ‘Ohio Women’s Bicycling Summit,’ was a success.

About eight months ago, I had my two friends Mimi Webb and Jeannie Martin join me for a beer so that I could present them with an idea.  I went to California the end of last summer for two separate Bicycle Conferences.  At both conferences, there were specific ‘women forums’ to continue to forward efforts of increasing women ridership here in the U.S.  Leaving California, I was both inspired and new what I had to do in Ohio.  Fast forward to the evening with Mimi and Jeannie.  I told them I planned to organize the first statewide ‘Ohio Women’s Bicycling Summit’ and would they be interested in joining me in this effort.  Immediately, they said ‘hell yes!”  So, for eight months, Jeannie, Mimi, and myself met and planned out this Summit.

Interest and excitement generated, immediately.  Our main sponsors, ROLL and Trek were absolutely incredible.  Then, Detroit’s ‘Autobike’ got in touch with us.  ARC Imaging donated printing costs for us.  And last but not least, food trucks!  OH! Burgers! and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams sponsored and killed it during lunch time  Green Bean Delivery covered all of the yummy fruits during the Summit.  Thank you to all the talented and incredible speakers:  Lisa Hinson, Tammy Krings, Marjorie Shavers, Lindsay Sherman, Lindsey Bower, Emily Burnett, Ohio’s First Lady Karen Kasich, Julie Walcoff, and Rep. Teresa Fedor.

72 women from around the state of Ohio and two women from Indiana.  The overwhelming positive responses from both the attendees and the presenters was absolutely amazing.  The Summit ran without any huge hiccups.  Women were learning, asking questions, laughing, meeting new women, and just enjoying themselves.

I’m grateful for such an amazing first Summit.  This will turn into an annual event.  My main focus is making our city inviting and safe to more modes of transportation.  Men, women, and children deserve ‘choice’ to be able to move about our cities and feel safe doing so.  Us advocates can provide the education; can organize bike rides to build confidence; but there are other components in making people feel that ‘choice,’ in moving around is priority:  political will and infrastructure.  Our wide, arterial streets need to be road dieted and designed with protected bike lanes.  The perception of safety is what I feel a lot of our engineers are missing.  I’ll say it until the light bulb goes off, ‘sharrows do not invite families to ride and feel safe on arterial streets that are four + lanes across and each lane 12+ wide.  Road diets, the narrowing of lanes, and an integrated bicycle network of green lanes, protected lanes, bike boxes, etc. will announce that our leaders are serious about inviting people of all ages to move around the city.  Our leaders making decisions need to be okay with hearing complaints instead of trying to please everyone.  When you create change, you’re gonna hear complaints but the only way to change behavior is to change the infrastructure.  You’re NOT changing the infrastructure when you lay down sharrows.

We have a long way to go and we’re doing better but…  we could be doing even MORE.  We can be building and piloting innovative and bold infrastructure that IS WORKING in other cities.  If we continue to remain status- quo as a city, we’ll continue to get left behind.

Some photos from the first ‘Ohio Women’s Bicycling Summit.’

Be safe and keep riding!

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’2 Wheels & Heels’ Columbus Ladies Basic Bike Mechanics – part deux

So, back in November, I organized my monthly ’2 Wheels’ night to be a basic mechanics evening.  Ladies were very interested and asked if I could set something up and of course I did.  It was a super successful evening at Paradise Garage.  Emily Burnett and Sarah Elizabeth were fantastic in teaching the ladies the basics about their bicycles.

Well, post holidays, I received requests about another basic mechanics evening since folks missed the first one as well as folks just learning so much from the first one – they wanted another.

So this time, Trek Bicycle Store off of Lane Ave hosted us.

42 women showed up last night.  Women ranging from 11 yrs old to 50′s and older.  Numerous ethnic backgrounds and riding abilities.  All women wanting to know best practices, the ‘dos’ and ‘don’t's’ when riding your bike.  Trek’s Raeda and Rhonda took the ladies through the basics of changing a flat, shifting gears, lubing your chain, cleaning your bike due to weather, riding clothing, as well as a few safety tips.  I’m very conscious of ending these events around 9pm.  We’re women and we have numerous responsibilities let alone, we seem to always over extend ourselves.  Well, last night women were asking such wonderful questions that even after the event, women stayed to continue to ask questions.

This kind of an environment was so humbling to be a part of.  It was comfortable, and nobody felt foolish when asking their questions.  The environment and the experiences that took place last night are exactly why I do this.  There IS a need for empowering women and providing women with these kinds of environments so they can build their confidence to ride more.

I feel like women left last night really excited about what they learned and about what’s to come for Women on Bikes -2013 in Columbus.  I look forward to weather being beautiful and the ’2 Wheels & Heels’ ride being out of control, over populated with women coming from all over wanting to become more confident in their riding.

Women make up over 85% of the decision making within families today.  We are the majority when it comes to volunteering in our communities as well as when it comes to taking our kids to school.  If women are confident and excited about riding their bikes, its going to be that much easier to funnel that excitement to their kids.  The bike needs to be ‘normalized’ and women will be the one’s to do this.

Enjoy the photos from last night’s mechanics.  Thanks again to Trek Bicycle Store of Lane Ave.  If you’re a fb user, be sure to search ’2 Wheels & Heels’ and ‘LIKE’ us.  Also, search for ‘Ohio Women’s Bicycling Summit’ as myself and two other colleagues are organizing the first statewide women’s bicycling summit – here in Columbus, Ohio.

Be safe and keep riding.

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The Need for Tweed

So, finally the clouds parted – the sun was shining and the temperature wasn’t bone chilling.  This past Saturday was our winter Tweed ride  which was a fantastic success.  I’m guessing there were close to forty riders eagerly wanting to get back on their bikes.  Prior to the Tweed ride, I hadn’t ridden my bike in five days b/c of the ice still coating the side streets of where I live.

Beginning at Cup o’ Joe in the Short North we then hit off to Franklinton Cycle Works.  We hung out, I took more photos, and had coffee and fruit that was donated by Green Bean Delivery.  On to German Village we rode.  Every Tweed ride, we have a group photo at Schiller Park.  This group photo was one of my favorites taken b/c of the snow covered grounds.  It set a nice tone to our ride and of course, the picture.

Thanks to everyone who joined in on the ride.  I think everyone had a wonderful time.  One of the things I absolutely love about bikes and social bike rides is how it brings people together and how it creates friendships.  I notice that immediately and it puts a smile on my face.

Another Tweed ride will happen in the Spring so stay tuned.  Enjoy the photos

Be safe and keep riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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‘Swoop and Scoop.’

One of the handful of phrases a bunch of us learned last night at the ’2 Wheels & Heels’ Columbus Ladies Night.  Last night, I organized this month’s ’2 Wheels’ event at Paradise Garage.  A handful of ladies have brought up how much they would love to learn more about their bikes.  So, with winter surely upon us, why not learn the basics about your bike so that you can be prepared and as safe as possible.

Emily and Sara of Paradise Garage were pumped to educate these women.  Immediately, when I walked into the shop, I felt comfortable and welcomed as I always do at Paradise.  Women of all ages and backgrounds started showing up and the ‘meet and greet’ hour began.  Right around seven, twelve of us women went into the back repair area where chairs and pairs of tire levers were laid out for all of us.  The backroom setup was immediately inviting and it made me even more eager for the education session to begin.

The 1.5 hr session went through everything from PSI pressure, to brake pads, to chain lube, frayed cables, to learning how to fix a flat.  Fantastic questions were asked throughout the entire session.  I would look around and see women taking notes and being completely focused on what Emily or Sara were saying.

After the session, the girls changed a few flats and realized how easy it is to take the back wheel off if you have your chain in the smallest ring  It was such an empowering evening for everyone and again, SUCH a comfortable and inviting environment.  If all bike shops provided this type of comfortable and relaxed feel, women feeling intimidated when in bike shops would be minuscule.

Last night was another absolute pleasure.  Enjoy these incredible and empowering pictures.

Be safe and keep riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Wheels & Heels – Bicycle Mechanics Style

So, the weather has been a bit of a roller coaster for us.  I personally love it that its mid – high 50′s during these months.  It makes winter less ‘meh’ for me.  Every year I think I say, ‘I need to move’ and each year its been staying milder and milder so we’ll see.

Anywho, through out the awesome rides we’ve done, I’ve asked a handful of ladies if they’d appreciate a ‘basic mechanics’ class and each of them RAVED.  So, before winter DOES hit (if it does), I thought it would be swell to hold a little class for ladies to get to know their bicycles a little more.  Like I always say ‘knowledge is power.’

This Wed. we’ll convene at the lovely Paradise Garage in the Short North where I asked a couple of my favorite bicycle ladies to teach the ladies a thing or two.  We’ll meet at our usual time – 6pm at Paradise Garage.  You can bring your bike or not.  There is a parking lot just South of Paradise Garage as well.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email.  My email address is found under the ‘About’ tab of my blog.

Be safe and keep riding!

New air pumps have been installed at certain bike shelters around Cbus.  I LOVE it.

 

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2 Wheels & Heels Ladies Ride – Columbus HALLOWEEN STYLE

To all you ladies out there – we WILL be riding Oct.30th.  A handful of women asked if we were having a ride on Halloween and the answer is … YES!

The ride will begin at the usual time – 6pm and we’ll meet, once again at Paradise Garage.  They have parking for all you folks that drive with your bike in tow.  Hopefully the weather will be absolutely perfect for us (fingers crossed).

I’d like for us to come up with a group costume for this ride.  How fun would it be to have 40-50 women dressed up in some fun, creative costume for ALL kinds of people to see???  So, put on your thinking caps and ‘comment’ on this blog, your group costume idea.  I have also put this same little contest up on fb and the group costume will be announced on Oct.13th.  This will give enough time for costume preparations.  Please make sure the costume idea isn’t too costly.

We’ll probably just do a fun ride along High St. and a couple of the adjacent neighborhoods.  I also think it would be fun for participants to bring bags of candy where we can also toss out candy to random walkers along our route

If you have any questions, please send me an email.  If not, start thinking creatively and post your ideas below this blog:)

I’ve thrown out the group costume – A HERD OF SHEEP

Be safe and keep riding.

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Crusin’ Only – Allowed

I’ve been on pretty much a three week ‘tour’ on the west coast.  I began with an awful travel trip to San Francisco (which I plan on writing SWA and letting them know).  Then, after a week out there, I flew to Long Beach where I had the most incredible and mentally stimulating 8 days I’ve had in years.

It began with a kick ass retreat with Alliance of Biking & Walking.  Advocates from all over the U.S. and even Alaska were at this retreat to talk about ”how do we make biking and walking’ priority numero UNO.  There are some amazing people doing amazing, incredible things around the nation.  I have been so lucky to meet a lot of these folks and get to know them to where now I can reach out and bounce ideas off of them.

We also held a Women’s Caucus at the retreat which was super empowering.  As many of you know, I have been devoting much of my time to empowering more women to ride their bikes.  I’m happy to state as well that I have been organizing my program which I have received funding for.  It will be a non-competitive girls bicycling empowerment program and I’m calling it, ‘Girls in Gear.’  I am still working with some folks regarding logo design however, I have finished the curriculum and everyone that I’ve mentioned this to is SUPER excited about.  I LOVE talking about it.  My goal is for this empowerment program to be a template for other cities to mold to what they are attaining for.  I plan to present at the next 2014 Pro Walk / Pro Bike Conference with the successes of this program.  I was also informed that in Feb. 2013, there is the Youth Bicycle Summit held in NYC which I’d love to attend

After the Alliance retreat was the Pro Walk / Pro Bike Conference which close to 900 Advocates, Planners, Engineers, etc. attended this conference to hear about best practices being applied all over the U.S.  Keynote speakers ranged from Fred Kent – the Principal of ‘Projects for Public Spaces’ and I got to meet him.  I tell you, it was like meeting a celebrity.  Other speakers such as councilwoman Suja Lowenthal (councilwoman for L.B.) was super inspiring and should I seriously consider running for City Council, I’m ringing her up for advice.  She.  Gets.  Shit.  Done.  Also, Mikael Coville-Anderson spoke.  What can I say about this character.  Well, he’s a tease b/c we were suppose to have whiskey together but I guess he couldn’t handle it (or me ).  I can be content with the Thursday evening.  Great public speaker and energizing.

Finally, after non-stop of a good 11 days, I finally made it down to San Diego where I have totally decompressed.  I have biked with my friends, spent time at the beach, surfed and just calmed both my mind and my body.  It’s been a pleasure.

In Ocean Beach yesterday while I was sitting at Pizza Port, there were SO MANY bike riders in this neighborhood.  This is the neighborhood that I’d live in if I move to San Diego.  What was great about these riders is is that all their bikes were salt-rusted from the ocean air and they were literally transportation tools for people.  You didn’t see fancy bikes and if you did, THEY were the ones out of place.  Cruisers galore around this laid back neighborhood.

The pictures speak for themselves.  We need to look at our bicycles as ‘tools.’  People ask me often what ‘type’ of bike they should buy.  I tell them certain specifics like fit and reach but other details like aesthetics and brand, who cares.  I’d say, if you find one at a garage sale, even better.  You don’t need fancy.  Personally, the older, the better in terms of character.

I’m headed back to Cbus tomorrow and I’m not sure how I feel about it  I’m excited but also sad at the same time.

Be safe and keep riding!

 

bikes locked up everywhere in the sand

 

it was fantastic seeing groups of kids riding their bikes… IN THE ROADS

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know you’re in San Diego when you have this beautiful view

 

 

Those are backpack chairs.. for the beach.  <3

Only in San Diego…

 

 

When you can casually check your cell phone while riding your bike, you know life is leisure.  Traffic appeared very patient and that’s what I loved as well.  Everyone seemed to get along (walkers, skateboarders, bikers, drivers, uni-cyclists, etc.)

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San Francisco. The City That Holds My Heart

I spent a glorious week here in the city that I can’t quit.  When ever I land into SFO and hop onto BART, I feel this sense of calmness that covers me like an invisible bubble.  I also feel that I become a different person.  A person who feels like she’s ‘home.’  The diversity of this city fills me up with such joy.  The way that this city continues to improve for the better and will become one of the most sustainable cities in the country; well, its incredible to watch this happen every time I come back.

San Francisco is a different kind of city.  Its made up of a lot of transients from all over the world.  Maybe that’s why this city has such determination from its people to become such a great city.  San Francisco is a petri dish and everyone is willing and active to put in some kind of ingredient or another which seems to be working.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to just watch the theatrics of this city by just sitting at a coffee shop.  Parklets are every where.  On-street bike corrals are so abundant that’s its almost like they’ve always existed here.  There are protected bike lanes that lead onto very heavily traffic streets such as San Jose Blvd.  There are green lanes on Market and the newly improved ‘Wiggle,’ regular bike lanes everywhere and if there aren’t bike lanes, there are sharrows.  Market St. is like High St.  Its the backbone to the city.  This morning prior to my departure, I took the BART to Powell St. Station and just watched and got my fix of early morning bustling of San Franciscans.  I felt alive.  I couldn’t keep up with pictures.  There were so many bike riders that I became over whelmed.

I want this very thing to happen in Columbus but it won’t happen until infrastructure is laid down and laid down – SMARTLY.  Infrastructure needs to be thought through with women and children in mind.  If this happens then the infrastructure should be laid down smartly and safely.  The best way to change behavior is to change the infrastructure.  When a ’roundabout’ is put in in Hillard, people are uncertain and will probably complain at first but then like anything else, it becomes habit and then just another piece of infrastructure.  It’s no different with bicycle infrastructure.

Protected bike lanes.  Green lanes.  Buffered bike lanes.  Bicycle dedicated signals.  All make for safer commutes and also draws out more riders of all levels.  San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides.  It’s only seven miles big and cannot build out.  San Francisco has to make due with what they have and they are.  They are redesigning their streets for ALL people.  If San Francisco can do this, so can we.  We need leaders who are willing to piss a few ppl off in order to make our city thrive.

Mayor Coleman said in a speech once:  ’If we continue to stay the same, we’ll get left behind.’  I’m tired of staying the same and tired of continually playing catch up.  I want leaders willing to risk their positions in order to do GREAT and innovative things.  I’d rather be the leader who was remembered as being ballsy as opposed to a leader who was status quo.

We still have a problem retaining young people and once again, its all due to lack of options in transportation.  I am one of those people who WILL LEAVE this city if things do not change and change SOON.  I assure you Columbus, it’ll be your loss.

Here are a few pictures of this morning on Market St.  Folks commuting via two wheels.  Buses in the back ground, people walking.  A city that’s ALIVE.

Be safe and keep riding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Etiquette:  Walking your bike through a cross-walk.

Another great example of proper biker etiquette.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for green light

 

 

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2 Wheels & Heels Columbus Ladies Ride: Large and In-Charge

This past Wednesday, I believe around fifty ladies ended up riding together ( I keep forgetting to take a head count).  It was such a beautiful sight.  We rode passed a handful of parks that evening, praising public parks and green space and all its beauty.  A lot of the gals had not been over either of the Main St. Bridge or the Rich St. Bridge – they all loved it.

We had an interim rest stop at the ‘walk up’ Jeni’s in German Village where it was one of the evening’s highlights.  Lori at Caffe’ Apropos LOVED that we began at the Caffe’ and said we were welcome back, any time.  Ya see, bicyclists are a very big positive to a neighborhood and a business.  What is more visually appealing:  cars parked all along the sidewalk blocking the scenery of the patrons lingering at the cafe tables outside OR bicycles of all kinds and colors, locked up and PEOPLE filling the sidewalks with laughter and conversations?  Which one brings life to a neighborhood??

Here are some of the photos taken from Wednesday.  I look forward to next month’s ride which I believe will be a tour of Bexley and the beautiful streets and homes.  I hope the trees will have begun to change as this was my reasoning for waiting.

Be safe and keep riding!

 

 

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Bike OSU Launches

This past Monday ‘Bike OSU’ held a fantastic shin-dig at the Ohio Student Union.  Tons of folks showed up to get their ‘bike on’  and get information about the new’ Mobile Bike Repair’ clinic as well as bicycle tours and much more.  New 2012 maps were given out to folks to check out best routes for your ride, Paradise Garage was checking out easy-repairs.  There were folks for mountain biking, polo bikes, and of course – if you didn’t notice Ohio Energy Bikes was there providing the power to the tunes being spun by Charles Erikson.  It was a great success for everyone involved and just to see the amount of bike riders, new and old was a sight to see.

School just started for OSU and I’ve biked around and all ready noticed that there are more bikes on campus than there are places for the students to lock them up.   I look forward to OSU continuing to move forward in their Bike-Friendly University state of mind and make that campus one of the most prized walking and bike friendly campuses in the nation.

For more info on Bike OSU, the new Mobile Bike Repair as well as the brand new OSU Bike Co-op, click this:  http://bikeosu.weebly.com/

 

Be safe and keep riding!

 

 

 

my friend josh (seen above) loathes the idea of people who ‘sell out.’

 

Bike OSU’s newly Mobile Bike Repair

 

Alex.  The man with plan.  And… the tickets.

 

Ohio Energy Project had three bikes where folks would hop on and supply the power to keep the music going.

 

The racks are literally like this everywhere on campus.  Beautiful sight

 

 

Julian (purple tie) is also one of the leaders of Bike OSU.  The gentleman in the middle, he pretty much peddled the entire time I was there.  Kurt, on the far bike – Ohio Energy Project is his job.  He rocks it!

 

 

 

 

 

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