Women Bike, Women Lead

Bike rides were incorporated into the Women Bike, Women Lead series as a recruitment tool for the workshop while attracting attendees to participate in a casual bike ride. Through the bike ride, participants were introduced to the concept of the summit, what it entailed and how people can sign up to attend. The two bike rides both had the starting and ending point at the same location and the destination for the ride was either an eatery or park to talk about the workshop. The rides created a space for people to socialize, share common interests, and to talk about their experiences on bikes.

 

The following tips are recommended in creating rides for riders of all cycling abilities:

 

LEADING A RIDE

Anything can happen on a ride. Be as prepared as you can.

 

ROUTE

Anything can happen on a ride. Be as prepared as you can.

Route: Select a route that makes people feel comfortable and safe. The route should be mostly flat riding with few hills, areas with bike lanes or paths, and calmer vehicle traffic or speeds. Plan the route to return to the starting point for riders who drove or took public transportation to the initial meeting place.

 

TIME

Saturdays and Sundays are ideal if you don't want to compete with most people's work and school schedules. And depending on the weather and time of year you plan on creating the rides, you want to select a late morning-early afternoon ride. For casual rides to appeal to beginners and people with children, try to keep the ride under three hours. Stick to the advertised schedule.

 

RIDE MARSHALS

Find volunteer ride marshals and mechanics with specific duties throughout the route and to support inexperienced riders. Ask local bike organizations or friends with experience with large group rides.

 

EQUIPMENT

Bring extra tubes, air pump, patch kits, tools, and essentials in case someone’s bike breaks down or is not in great condition. If possible, have a local bike shop or bike co-op offer a quick tune-up before the ride.

 

DISCLAIMERS

Remind people to bring a working bicycle to the ride with the expectation that they have inspected and repaired it. If you do not have support on the ride to make repairs and adjustments, tell the riders it is their responsibility.

Snacks and Spoke cards: Purchase or get snacks donated. Fresh fruits, nuts, and bars are great for bike rides if you can carry or distribute them. Give a special souvenir for ride participants by creating laminated spoke cards. Have enough for everyone.

 

SNACKS AND SPOKE CARDS

Purchase or get snacks donated. Fresh fruits, nuts, and bars are great for bike rides if you can carry or distribute them. Give a special souvenir for ride participants by creating laminated spoke cards. Have enough for everyone.