The League of American Bicyclists noted this month that women continue to be the driving force – and thus are doing the pedaling – to the forefront of the bicycle movement. According to a recent national poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates, more than 80 percent of American women have a positive view of bicyclists and two-thirds think their community would be a better place to live if riding a bike were safer and more comfortable.
To this end the League will host the National Women’s Bicycling Forum, to united hundreds of leaders to showcase and build on that energy and momentum. The event will take place on March 4 in Washington, D.C. With a theme of “Women Mean Business,” this event will provide special focus on industry leaders, entrepreneurs and the economic impact of female bicyclists.
In just its second year, the Forum will feature a full-day of programming with more than 30 speakers, including keynote addresses from major leaders like:
• Georgena Terry: founder of Terry Precision Cycles, the first brand of bicycles built specifically for women
• Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL): helicopter pilot, Purple Heart recipient, former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs — and hand-crank bicyclist
• Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan: New York City Commissioner of Transportation and architect of NYC’s dramatic rise in bicycling
Additional high-profile speakers at the Forum will include:
• Jenna Burton, founder, Red, Bike and Green
• Anne-Marij Berendsen, president, Gazelle Cycle Imports
• Karen Brooks, editor, Bicycle Times magazine
• Deanne Buck, Executive Director, Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition
• Nicole Freedman, director, Boston Bikes
• Mia Kohout, publisher, Momentum magazine
• Jacquie Phelan, trailblazing mountain bike champion, Bicycle Hall of Fame
• Nicole Preston, National Campaign Director, American Diabetes Association
• Leah Shahum, executive director, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
• Sarai Snyder, founder, Cyclofemme
• Elysa Walk, General Manager, Giant Bicycles USA