I’m on a roll in more ways than one right now getting ready for my annual summer blogging break, this year in August. Here is what is loosely planned for the rest of July in ongoing support of my three stated objectives as the first Metro Atlanta Bicycle Mayor (if interested, here is my 6-month executive summary):
- Shine a light on people making it more welcoming to ride bikes;
- Create/share welcoming routes and empower teen girls and women;
- Encourage others to become bicycle mayors of their cities or counties.
This week: I’m hoping to interview Lois Williams (who was a Today’s Nice Stranger last week) specifically about some bike-related things she shared in her book, His Hand on Me: The Road to Kennesaw (which I couldn’t put down).
I will also post a PeopleForBikes Ridespot Ambassador update. Plus, for fun, I’m most likely painting my new roller-skates to match my bikes. Note: Riding my bike to places to rollerskate has been an amazing way to center joy (in all its conundrum) this month as I approach the one-year anniversary as a road violence survivor in the place I currently call home — you may find something helpful in 11 Tips Following an Assault while Riding a Bike.
I need to follow up on a few folks about some things as well. Pesty stuff that I’m putting to bed for good. After that:
I’m no longer attempting to contact or work with any people who are known to be roadblocks to climate-smart progress. Life’s too short and need is too great, and there are so many visionaries with whom to collaborate instead. Those who say things can’t be done are increasingly going to be left behind.
Reminder: You. Me. All of us. We hold the power to make a difference in our hands. Let’s own it.
Week of July 12: I’m interviewing the Director of Operations at BYCS, the Amsterdam-based social enterprise through which I serve as one of 120 bicycle mayors around the world.
I’m also attending a Tireside Chat panel discussion about mobility justice and bike infrastructure at the Museum of Modern Art (which is currently hosting the excellent Bike to the Future exhibit). Join me.
Week of July 19: I’ll be teaching my next free in-person Pedal Power with Pattie basic bike skills class for women/teen girls. As you know, I offer one free class a month (market value: $150 per person). Contact me if you want to snag a spot and schedule a date/time that works for both of us before I put it on Eventbrite. Meet some of my previous students here. Reminder: I offer it three other ways as well (ncluding the first and only bike skills class in the world delivered via text), accessible globally.
I also hope to give a private tour of my 10-mile Best of Atlanta infrastructure showcase to a couple of executives and celebrities who have contacted me recently.
Week of July 26: I’m hoping to schedule my Zoom meeting that week for anyone interested in becoming a bicycle mayor of one of the 10 Metro Atlanta counties or 70 cities. (You can also just apply, if you have enough folks willing to endorse you, and you are already doing this kind of pro bono work and willing to do more of it.)
Feel free to continue with any wave delineators and other temporary protected bike lane devices (plus seven other low-hanging fruit ideas here — this ain’t brain surgery, folks. Don’t make it harder than it is). I’m happy to share your success stories. (Here’s one of many aspirational media releases.)
I’m also happy to share any Rolling Wave photos or videos you post as you are Traveling at the Speed of Bike, hot on the heels of our successful World Bicycle Day in June.
Hope to see you out there!
Trust the journey,
Pattie
League Cycling Instructor #5382
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Thank you for your support. 100% of proceeds from the sale of my book, Traveling at the Speed of Bike, as well as my original-art Artsy Bike Face Mask, are used to help more women and girls ride bikes.
Also, there’s a bib! You can order it here. See an adorable baby modeling it here. (Reminder: Kids don’t wait. They grow up. You can’t “feel like a kid again” when you ride a bike for the rest of your life . . . if you didn’t ride a bike as a kid. The time for change is now.)
Traveling at the Speed of Bike 