Girls just wanna have
fun (racing bikes).
(Photo © Jonathan Maus)

Tonight at the Portland Building a panel discussion is being held to encourage women to participate in bike racing.

Women for Bikes, a loose-knit volunteer group of advocates, hope to show that anyone can dive into racing and that it’s a whole lot of fun.

The panel will include: members of the Sorella Forte cycling club; Dani Dance, organizer of the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships; and officials from the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA), who will demystify the rules and regulations of racing.[Read more…]

Janis McDonald at the Alice Awards.
File photo: 3/10/07

Three years ago, Janis McDonald had a dream; to get more women on bikes. That passion led to the creation of PDOT’s Women on Bikes program, which McDonald has spearheaded at her day job in the Transportation Options division of the Office of Transportation.

That program has been a great success, but McDonald knows there is even more work to be done. That’s why she, along with Barb Grover of the Bike Gallery and Alison Hill of the Community Cycling Center, recently organized a meeting to discuss how they can break down to barriers to cycling for women.
[Read more…]

Once upon a time, city employee Janis McDonald was counting bikes (yes, they have people that do that) and she noticed that only 1 out of 3 riders were female. Bummed that more women weren’t riding she decided to start the Women on Bikes Program.

Since May, the series of rides and clinics has attracted tons of ladies eager to get together, share experiences and bond over bikes. And, since this ride is put on by the City of Portland, they’ve got prizes to give away and a chance to win a Breezer bike if you complete an evaluation form! Wow, that would be cool.

Sorry it’s so last minute, but THIS Saturday (9/24) is the final ride of the series. To join in the fun, meet at Laurelhurst Park (SE33rd/SE Oak) at 9 am. The ride will go out to Marine Drive via the I-205 Bike Path.

For more information email janis.mcdonald@pdxtrans.org or call her at (503) 823-5358.