Women on bikes...especially "older", is what I want to see.

After seeing what commuting by bike has done for my health and attitude, I wish it on all "older" women.  In my day dreams I see more and more women get the courage to get back on a bike.  This tweet link from Gabe Klein just lit up my morning!

http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2011/10/ferraras-fantastic-femal...

(I imagine some of you are thinking "Oh no, not more old people on bikes"  lol.  Yes, we do ride slower, but as I say, it is all about the ebb and flow.)

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Permalink Reply by Nançois on October 31, 2011 at 3:58am

What qualifies as "older"? I am 47!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 31, 2011 at 4:11am

That is getting close Nancy, lol!  I find that the standard for "older" in biking is over 50. 

47, and how fantastic you look!  To me this biking is the best thing ever.

 

Permalink Reply by Shay on October 31, 2011 at 4:18am

This lady is my inspiration.  She works at The University of Chicago like I do, and I sometimes see her riding on campus on her cruiser.  She's 84!  

 

http://momentumplanet.com/articles/self-propelled-professors

Permalink Reply by Nançois on October 31, 2011 at 4:18am

Someone on the chainlink once said something along the lines of: "who wouldn't be in favor something that makes us all happier, healthier, and better-looking?"

 

I think biking will become an increasingly important part of that as we get "older." Keep on truckin' ladies!

;)

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 31, 2011 at 4:29am
LOVE IT!!!  Thanks for sharing.

Shay said:

This lady is my inspiration.  She works at The University of Chicago like I do, and I sometimes see her riding on campus on her cruiser.  She's 84!  

 

http://momentumplanet.com/articles/self-propelled-professors

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 31, 2011 at 4:42am

I live in a 55+ building in Near North.  I am the only female biker in the building that I know of.  Reactions I have heard mostly concern the safety of it.  That they would be afraid to ride in the city traffic. 


I like to go on the Critical Mass rides, well any bike ride really, and will always seem to lock eyes with a few older women along the route that grin when they see me.  I see their eyes light up with desire to feel the freedom you get on a bike!  That is when I yell out "Get on a bike, you can do it!" 

Chicago does need a lot of work as far as the attitude of motor vehicles to cyclists.  I have confidence that it will come.


Jeff Schneider said:

As an "older" man who grew up riding and never really stopped, I don't have a lot of insight into why so few "older" women are cycling.  Do you have some ideas about that?  What needs to happen to get more of them on bikes?
Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on October 31, 2011 at 5:52am

I see more "older" people in general, riding.

I'm 61, 20+ car-free years (1600+ miles last season about 1300 miles this).

My wife is younger and with her new (this Summer) bike computer, will shortly have her personal best, greater than 1000 mile year (with more than 700 on Chicago streets).

Next Spring I'm to help a female friend (67+ years old) find a new bike that's easier to step-through.

Keep On Bikin'

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 31, 2011 at 6:29am
Awesome!  How do I become your "friend" on this site?  I am 58 and just picked up a bike again June 2010.  ....and step-through's can make such a difference!

Michael J Blane said:

I see more "older" people in general, riding.

I'm 61, 20+ car-free years (1600+ miles last season about 1300 miles this).

My wife is younger and with her new (this Summer) bike computer, will shortly have her personal best, greater than 1000 mile year (with more than 700 on Chicago streets).

Next Spring I'm to help a female friend (67+ years old) find a new bike that's easier to step-through.

Keep On Bikin'

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on October 31, 2011 at 10:34am

I agree. I like seeing people of all ages on bikes in Chicago, but let's be honest, many are "kids" in their 20s and 30s. Or maybe you're all much older but just look very young because bicycling keeps you fit. :)

 

I remember being deeply impressed when I was a kid in the 70s visiting my grandparents in Germany and seeing my grandmother hopping on her bike to run errands in the village center. In the Chicago suburbs where I lived, no one over age 15 rode bikes, once they had "graduated" to driving. 

 

Hopefully we'll have many more people, from 8 to 80 and beyond, riding in Chicago when the infrastructure improves over the next few years.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on October 31, 2011 at 2:33pm
Yep, I'll be riding 3 miles an hour on a really wide trike in the bike lanes, sooner rather than later.
Permalink Reply by Martha Williams on November 1, 2011 at 8:34am

I've photographed lots of "older" women.  Not sure what age constitutes "older," but check them out:

 

http://bikefancy.blogspot.com/2011/03/anne-wacker-ave-and-wabash-dr...

http://bikefancy.blogspot.com/2011/09/n-wells-st-w-goethe-st-chicag...

http://bikefancy.blogspot.com/2011/04/kathy-with-suzy-schnauzer-web...

 

Also, if you are an "older" cyclist, I'd love to photograph you!  Email me mafaw1@gmail.com

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on November 1, 2011 at 10:56am

We *heart* this thread!

 

All of us at Active Trans, via Ethan Spotts

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