Blog Post

Since 2008, hundreds of people have united to pedal 300 miles through the California forest and the hills of New York all in the name of climate protection — and better biking! If you’re in Washington, D.C., come learn more about the Climate Ride this Monday, June 24th, at 6 p.m. The five-day bike ride from New York City to Washington, D.C., coming up September 21-25, is an amazing journey and “green conference on wheels” that raises money to support nonprofits working to protect the climate and make streets safer for biking — including the League!

There’s already tremendous momentum behind our newest program — Women Bike — and this past weekend we brought together key stakeholders and diverse perspectives for a focused two-day strategic planning session to build on our success and create a powerful path forward.

During Bike Month this year, we heard from people and organizations who are using bicycles as tools for personal empowerment, social justice and community development. Taking this “Where the Ride Takes Us” web series a step further, we’re following up with a group of bicyclists in West Virginia who are riding to Washington, D.C., to help raise money for homeless veterans.

So your workplace joined the National Bike Challenge, and now that folks are geared up and riding you’re wondering what comes next — or maybe just what’s in it for you!

Last week, in partnership with the Sierra Club, the League released “The New Majority: Pedaling Toward Equity.” A conversation-starter, rather than a comprehensive analysis, the mini-report highlighted the tremendous growth in bicycling among youth, women and people of color — and showcased the stories of just a small handful of grassroots organizations that are mobilizing diverse communities and elevating new leaders. But, while the report provided evidence that we’ve begun pedaling toward equity… we’re not nearly there yet.

With the high-profile, public launch of Citi Bike in New York City this week, we figured it’s an opportune time to showcase one of the earliest and most notable leaders in implementing and spreading bike sharing systems in the U.S.: Alison Cohen. Now Director of Bike Share Services for Toole Design Group, Cohen was pivotal in the development of NYC’s Citi Bike, Boston’s Hubway and DC’s Capital BikeShare, in her previous role at Alta Bicycle Share.