Presentation on bike commuting and bikes on transit Wed. 10/2

Are you looking to use your bicycle for more than just recreation? Then come to a presentation this Wednesday 10/2 at Women & Children First book store, 5233 N. Clark St. at 7:30 p.m.

Learn how to commute on your bike: We'll show you what to wear, how to carry things, and what to do about the weather. We'll even go over getting your bike on a bus or train to shorten the ride. Anne Alt, a lifelong cyclist and longtime bike commuter, grew up riding in several neighborhoods and nearby suburbs of Chicago. A member of Chicago Cycling Club and volunteer with Active Transportation Alliance, she has ridden thousands of miles on Chicago streets and learned the ins and outs of taking her bike on all our local transit systems. Women Bike Chicago is a grass-roots organization founded in 2012 made up of women who love to bicycle and to encourage other women to bicycle. Refreshments will be served. 

How to design a city for women

The Atlantic Cities published an interesting blog piece examining how a study from Vienna, Austria revealed differences in how men and women use transit, and how that influenced policy and design to create equal access for women. 

If a similar study were done here, what kind of changes would you like to make transit and streets safer and more accessible for you?

Sept 4 Ride: Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles at Millennium Park

Mariachi on September 4 

 Another Women Bike Chicago mini event! Mariachi Fest featuring Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles

Ladies, let's get together before summer is over!  Leave from the Picasso at Daley Plaza at 5:30 p.m.  Ride to Trader Joe's at 1147 S. Wabash to pick up some picnic type food and then ride to Millennium Park to gather on the Great Lawn south of the Jay Pritzker Pavillion for the music and festivities.  For heading home, we can "buddy up" again.

If anyone wants to ride Divvy, there is, of course, the Divvy station at Daley Plaza.  There is a Divvy station at Wabash and Roosevelt, so easy to dock near Trader Joes and then get back on Divvy to ride to Millennium Park.  Near the park, there are Divvy stations on the east side of Michigan north of Monroe and on the west side of Michigan south of Randolph.

Cannot make it to Daley Plaza that early?  Meet us on the Great Lawn.  There are food vendors around in the park, and, if one is so inclined, beer and wine are allowed on the Great Lawn.

Looking forward to another great evening. 

http://www.reynadelosangeles.com/

From: 

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park6.html

Wednesday, September 4, 6:30pm

National Museum of Mexican Art
Mariachi Fest featuring Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and Mariachi Perla de Mexico
Join us for National Museum of Mexican Art’s Mariachi Fest featuring: Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, the first all-female mariachi of the United States, accompanied by Mariachis Perla de Mexico and Real Guadalajara. Last year, the Museum packed Millennium Park with a similar event. This year, they’ll surely repeat that magic. Bring the entire family and experience Mariachi Fest! Part of the 2013 Del Corazón Festival. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Tour de Divvy

Women Bike Chicago is conducting a Tour de Divvy on Thursday, July 25, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Divvy Station on Randolph between Clark and LaSalle.  Connect with other women cyclists on a casual ride to learn about Chicago's new bike share program.  Divvy is providing free passes and an ambassador to help us all figure it out.

We will check out a few stations, and end at the always wonderful Simone's at 18th and Morgan.  Even Divvy knows how wonderful Simone's is--there is a station right there!

Sunday ride to Chinatown

Join us for a casual Sunday ride to Chinatown on 6/23.  We'll meet at 31st St. Beach at 4 p.m.

Jane Healy (708-308-8662) will lead a casual-paced ride to IIT, Bridgeport, Stearns Quarry/Palmisano Park, Ping Tom Park, and Little Village - about 15 miles, some hills.

Bring $ and your lock for a dinner stop in Chinatown.

Crash Recovery Stories

By  popular demand (really - you said so in the survey from our March 23 event), we're presenting an expanded version of the "Getting Back On a Bike" session, where Susan told of her experience getting back on her bike after a serious crash.  She'll be joined by Leah Jones, who also suffered a crash - coincidentally at the same intersection - about a year later.

Susan and Leah will share their stories - what happened on their respective fateful days and how they got riding again.  Remember, every story is different:  everyone heals at her own pace.   Learn how they did it.

Please come to Women and Children First,  5233 N. Clark St. in Andersonville on June 13, 7.30 PM

Refreshments will be served, and you'll have a chance to talk to the presenters as well.
The event is Free!

http://womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/susan-levin-and-leah-jones

Ask your questions in the comments section!

Celebrate Mothers' Day on your Bike!

Looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors on Mothers' Day?  How about a little ride along the Lakefront Trail and a visit to the Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory?  Details in this event posting on The Chainlink:

http://www.thechainlink.org/events/cyclofemme-mother-s-day-ride?rsvpConfirm=1

Bring the family!

It's beginning to look like spring!

FINALLY we are getting some weather breaks and Women Bike Chicago is planning some "mini-events".  Consider this a "Save The Date" notice and put these on your calendar:

Sunday, May 19:  Anne Alt will lead a Welcome Spring Nature Ride.  Time, location, and route to come.

Date TBD:  Susan Levin will lead a discussion about How to get back on your bike after a Crash from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Location to come.

Sunday, June 23: Jane Healy will lead a Food & Fun ride.  Time 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from 31st Street Harbor to Chinatown.

Check back for details!

new book: Women on Wheels

I noticed something online about a new book: Women on Wheels.  I'd be curious to know if any of you have read it and what your impressions were.

Are there any notable books or articles on bicycling women among your recent reads?

      - Anne

Yes, today's ride is on!

In case you have some doubts about the weather, it doesn't look like we'll have significant rain, so today's Cherry Blossom ride is on!

Cherry blossom ride

On the subject of staying in touch, I'd like to propose a casual social ride for this Sunday, 4/14.  We'll meet at 31st St. beach house at 10:00 a.m. for a ride of approx. 15 miles to visit Osaka Garden in Jackson Park. After this week's rain and warmer weather, I'm hoping that we'll get to see cherry blossoms.

Osaka Garden

Bikes aren't allowed in the garden, so it's a good idea to bring a lock.  There's a bike rack right outside. 

There are plenty of lunch options in Hyde Park if you want to stop for a bite after visiting the garden.  If you want to get lunch, make sure you bring lock(s)/cable to secure your bike.

If you need transit info to get to the start, click here for CTA map, get CTA route/schedule info here (red line or green line to 35th St., or one of several buses - NOT Lake Shore Dr. express routes) or here for Metra (Rock Island to 35th St.).  If you take Metra, don't forget to bring a bungee cord to secure your bike on board the train.  (18-24" will work.)

Got questions? Give me a call.  312-520-1641

    -- Anne Alt

webinar tomorrow - getting more moms and families on bikes

If you're interested, the League of American Bicyclists is offering an online webinar tomorrow afternoon (Thurs. 4/11). Click here for details and to register for access.