We dedicate this issue to women, in celebration of International Women's Day; even if you're not female-identified, please read on and then send this to a friend, your wife, mom, sister... 

So...why the focus on women on bikes (other than the obvious disparity in riding numbers)?  As the saying goes--where the woman goes, so goes the world.  If women feel safe and comfortable riding their bike to work, shopping, or for leisure they will not only be more likely to make the lifestyle change but will encourage their friends to do the same and allow or encourage their kids to ride their bikes to school or for exercise. All of this means more people on bikes, less cars on the roads; healthier, happy people all around us.   

 

At Bay Area Bikes, every day is Ladies' day.  Our local, independent bike shop is 50% woman-owned, yet 100% woman-respectful. You'll find women-specific bikes, accessories designed with women in mind and a staff that is committed to helping every person that walks through our door get on a bike and ride. Sometimes that means taking the time to educate the customer on what type of bike would fit her riding needs; it may mean being sure that she is properly fit on her bike for that charity ride. We want to get to know you; help you make the best-informed decisions; earning your respect and your business for the long haul.

Please join us on Facebook, visit bayareabikes.com and share our newsletter with your friends and co-workers. We try to share helpful information and local cycling news with every newsletter, and offer 10% off accessories when you bring in the coupon.  Have an idea that will help other women join the cycling community? Please email me; it may just be the tip that helps get another rider on a bike. 

Happy Trails,

 Glenda, Clay & Team BAB   

Join me and Executive Director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Renee Rivera, on a bike ride for women Saturday, March 9. We'll be doing a socially-paced ride along the Bay Trail to the Rosie the Riveter Museum. Check out the Facebook Event  

or the EBBC's website.  Check out Renee's blog on SF Gate next week for her recommendations on resources for women and cycling.  

If you're interested in a weekly ladies' ride on Saturday mornings, please email me at glenda@bayareabikes.com and let me know!

Liv/giant riders Kelli Emmett and Marianne Voss do!   

Kelli rode the Giant Anthem X W to a 2-time Downieville All-Mountain championship and Marianne bested her Olympic Gold with her 6th Cyclocross World Title on a Giant TCX W. No one expects you to be a Marianne or a Kelli on a bike, but if this is your aspiration, we have these and other women-specific bikes from Giant Bicycle for you to test ride.

We're seeing more and more families on cargo bikes delivering kids to school or daycare, doing the weekly shopping, or just getting the kids out in the fresh bay air! We have replaced the Zigo child carriers in our bike rental fleet with two Yuba Boda Boda cargo bikes. One of the Boda's will be equipped with a child seat (optional on the other). The Boda Bodas are rented on a daily or weekly basis from our Jack London Square location; we will continue to have the Yuba Mundo as a demo out of our Webster Street store. Renting is a good way to check out before buying-and yes, we carry the Boda Boda, Mundo and all Yuba accessories at our Webster Street store.