I would desire that you remember the Ladies . . .

Okay, I am not Abigail Adams and you fellows out there are not John, but did I get your attention?  Well, alrighty then, as they say in Colorado.

On March 23, 2013, a real grass roots group of us with green stains on our knees--mostly Chainlinkers, but others, too--are putting on an event by women to encourage women to bike.  

http://www.thechainlink.org/events/women-bike-chicago-a-day-of-demo...

The idea is to let any woman who has any inkling that riding a bike might be a good idea for any reason whatsoever that she can do it and also to pass on information to help her do it.

Guys, you are not welcome to attend.  I know you don't mean it, but you are often intimidating to women who are tentative about cycling.  Maybe it's the attitude that it's no big deal?  I don't know.  But if you have a mother, sister, cousin, girlfriend, spouse, or any female relation who has even mentioned the possibility of getting on a bike, please tell her about this.

Women who already cycle, we are going to be looking for volunteers to help out with various parts of the day.  And you all know other women who have said "I wish I could do that, but . . ."  Tell them about this event.

It is free, and we will have some child care, but space is limited, so we need to have people make reservations.  Pass on this link:  http://wbikechi2013.eventbrite.com/#

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Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on March 1, 2013 at 2:47pm
Lisa I will help in any way i can.
(My son should be visiting my family, but there is a chance I may have him depending on when my brother gets him for spring break).
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 1, 2013 at 3:30pm

Thanks, Jenn.  Your help will be appreciated and if your son is here we will figure out how he can be cared for!

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on March 1, 2013 at 3:32pm

Serious question:  Is it that guys are intimidating or that women are intimidated?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 1, 2013 at 3:40pm

Serious answer:  I am no sociologist, but probably both.  I think that it is seldom intentional on any level.  

Not serious answer:  Youse guys don't scare me!

Permalink Reply by Vanessa B on March 1, 2013 at 5:23pm

Hey there you should check out an org that some other cyclists and i started: 

meetup.com/Illinois-Women-Cyclists

http://www.meetup.com/Illinois-Women-Cyclists/events/104758662/

We are doing a meet-up this Monday at bangers and lace on division. would be a great time to spread the word.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 2, 2013 at 1:30am

Thanks Vanessa.  I think one or more of us is planning to be there.

Permalink Reply by David P. on March 2, 2013 at 9:16am

Juan,

I'd agree with Lisa that there is usually some of both, and that is it almost never intentional on the part of men to be that way. But I think it is very easy for many men to unwittingly present with a sort of voice-of-authority demeanor that can be intimidating to many women for whom the activity (cycling in this case) is a big deal, not the no-biggie that others may consider it to be. Also, for many women (not all - my gf is not one, for instance) an all-woman environment is just more welcoming and feels, in some sense, safer as an environment to voice fears and ask what may seem to them like 'silly' or 'dumb' questions.

Juan Primo said:

Serious question:  Is it that guys are intimidating or that women are intimidated?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 2, 2013 at 10:40am

We do!  I am not exactly sure what we need, but there are going to be a lot of mundane tasks to be taken care of on the day.  And the more women there are who do cycle every day for interested women to talk to, the better. 

Ladies interested in volunteering, please go to  http://www.thechainlink.org/group/women-bike-chicago and ask to join.  Let us know you want to volunteer.  It will be easier to keep track of that way!  Thanks.

Jennifer on the lake said:

Do you still need volunteers?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 2, 2013 at 10:41am

Exactly and well said on all fronts!

David P. said:

Juan,

I'd agree with Lisa that there is usually some of both, and that is it almost never intentional on the part of men to be that way. But I think it is very easy for many men to unwittingly present with a sort of voice-of-authority demeanor that can be intimidating to many women for whom the activity (cycling in this case) is a big deal, not the no-biggie that others may consider it to be. Also, for many women (not all - my gf is not one, for instance) an all-woman environment is just more welcoming and feels, in some sense, safer as an environment to voice fears and ask what may seem to them like 'silly' or 'dumb' questions.

Juan Primo said:

Serious question:  Is it that guys are intimidating or that women are intimidated?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 2, 2013 at 1:02pm

I know we'll need a fair number of greeters to point people in the right direction. We're in the process of finalizing our list of volunteer positions.

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

We do!  I am not exactly sure what we need, but there are going to be a lot of mundane tasks to be taken care of on the day.  And the more women there are who do cycle every day for interested women to talk to, the better. 

Ladies interested in volunteering, please go to  http://www.thechainlink.org/group/women-bike-chicago and ask to join.  Let us know you want to volunteer.  It will be easier to keep track of that way!  Thanks.

Jennifer on the lake said:

Do you still need volunteers?

Permalink Reply by Melissa on March 2, 2013 at 1:03pm

Agreed.  Sum to say that women and men, for the most part, simply think and operate differently, and therefore demonstrate different styles of teaching and participating.  I don't think that means that learning experiences always need to be gender-specific, but it definitely is more empowering when you can personally identify with the person in the leadership role. 

It's amazing that all of these things are happening simultaneously.  Women Bike Chicago and Illinois Women Cyclists have rolled out, the National Women's Bicycling Forum is being held in DC, and March is officially Women's History Month.  Stars are aligning. 

Permalink Reply by Seri97 on March 2, 2013 at 7:32pm
Registered. Would like to volunteer. Feel free to contact me.

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