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Nelle Pierson, Events Coordinator for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, will be a panelist at the National Women Cycling Forum on March 20. Learn more here.

Who or what inspired you to start cycling?

As a kid I was fortunate to have a bike and the spirit to ride all the time; I loved the freedom and the adventure. But as a young adult I wasn’t inspired to start cycling; in fact, I dreaded it.

When I was accepted to college, it became very clear that with looming student loans I could no longer afford to own a car. So for me, it wasn’t the environment, the workout, or time-efficiency that made biking attractive- it was my bank account. I traded my car, an amenity that to many represents maturity, independence, and status, for a 30 year-old Sears commuter bike. My friends felt so bad for me- I felt so bad for me. And when it came time to start school I packed the bike up in the back of our pickup truck with the rest of my belongings and was on my way to start a new life at Colorado State University.

Without a car I thought my social life was over, my ability to throw gear into a backpack and find an adventure was gone, and my freedom to run errands across town year-round had vanished. Little did I know…

Once in Fort Collins, it took me a couple months to realize that I was riding to class in the middle of a bike Mecca. It took some time but I eventually made some bike-loving friends who supported the transition from car-dependence to car-liberation. I’d say it was the encouragement from my new friends that became my biggest source of inspiration. They helped normalize biking in my life. They introduced me to foreign concepts, like pumping tires, and helmets, and eventually they had me commuting in snowstorms- (what we called bike surfing).

Pretty soon I was helping organize group rides, hanging out at the bike co-op, amassing my own collection of bikes, and working towards making our university more bike-friendly.  It was then that I realized the importance of encouragement from the people you trust and I tried to become the friend that helped inspire others to make the transition to a bike-friendly life.

  What’s your favorite memory or proudest moment on a bike (or in bicycle advocacy)?

That’s not fair, there are dozens of special bike memories. Having the opportunity to sit on this panel is certainly up there.

My proudest moment relating to bikes, by far, was seeing a photo of my mom after her first bike commute last spring. I guess you can call that bike advocacy.

It took me 5 years to warm my mom up to the idea of biking to work. One time on a visit home from college I took her bike shopping at a pawn shop, mapped out her route, and put an an entire electronic folder of brochures, tips, FAQs, stories, and packing guides on her computer desktop. By this time I was on my soap box encouraging all the people around me to bike. But my own flesh and blood didn’t budge.

My mom’s a fit, self-identified environmentalist, and an adventurous woman who’s owned a bike most of her adult life. It was so frustrating- she had no desire to try out the two-mile bike ride from her door to her desk, and in retrospect I understand why. Colorado’s weather is unpredictable, the topography isn’t ideal for the inexperienced, public transit is sparse, and everyone’s in big scary SUVs. Looking back, I wish I would’ve been more understanding of her concerns instead of being pushy. Deep down she was scared- and a little lazy. That’s where patience and encouragement are key.

I kept pushing. Then about a year ago she entered the perfect storm of encouragement. After a visit to DC, I had her out riding on downtown streets, crossing major intersections, and riding all dressed up in the town’s Seersucker Ride- all on the back of my tandem. It was a fun and convenient way to teach someone how to confidently ride in tricky situations and feel out the rules of the road. Plus it’s a more intimate riding experience- we laughed and sang and told stories.

The next week my mom’s coworker offered her a free Bridgestone mountain bike, and I got a text from her. She said she wanted to know about seats, and helmets, and rain gear. She was sold on the idea. And a couple days later she sent a picture of her wearing her helmet in front of her office!

What campaigns, events or other efforts are you working on right now or looking forward to that have the potential to increase women cycling?

Besides making sure that all of WABA’s events are inclusive and accommodating to bicyclists of all ages, and experience levels, and that they’re promoted to attract ladies and gentleman, I’m partnering up with one of WABA’s current Women’s cycling intern to coordinate a big ladies-focused group ride.

What advice would you give to women who are wary of cycling — or to women who want to have a bigger impact in advancing cycling in their community?

I stress to folks who are wary or intimidating of biking that their feelings are not unique and that they are not alone. It’s completely rational to be concerned about your safety, your gear, the mechanics of a bike, and your appearance on a bike. That’s a lot to take on when you’re trying out something new, something so personal as transportation, and that’s intimidating. But there’s no need to take on that heavy load by yourself. It takes time to address each of those concerns and find personal solutions, but don’t do it alone. There’s a good chance your buddy or a mechanic in your neighborhood would be excited to step in as your bike-mentor.

For those looking to get more involved, become the encouraging bike mentor to someone around you who’s interested but still has doubts. If you haven’t already, become a member and start volunteering for your local bike advocacy group. Organize group rides where you work, play, pray, or pay. And if you’re interested in spreading the knowledge of bike maintenance in your community, check out your local co-op.

If you could look 20 years into the future of the cycling movement, how would you hope things would be different?

I have to admit that I love that there are currently so many forms of bike subcultures and fringe groups- because I’m definitely a member. I see it as a a way for people to identify with each other and relate. But I hope that overtime there’s no such thing as a bike culture. I hope that with improved infrastructure, education, and laws, bicycling becomes so engrained in cities throughout the United States that bikes become like toasters- just a normal appliance that everyone uses when they need it. I’ve never been to Copenhagen or Amsterdam but from all that I’ve read it seems that’s a reality they’re enjoying. That being said, I’m not anti-car; I know that bikes aren’t always the right tool for the job, I just hope our culture becomes pro-bike.

Veronica Davis, a principal planner and engineer for Nspiregreen LLC and a co-founder of Black Women Bike DC, will be a panelist at the National Women Cycling Forum on March 20. Learn more here.

Who or what inspired you to start cycling?

I’m a utilitarian cyclist. I got into cycling when the gas prices skyrocketed and filling my gas tank was costing an arm and a leg.

What’s your favorite memory or proudest moment on a bike (or in bicycle advocacy)?

The creating of Black Women Bike is something to be proud of. Myself and co-founders Nse Ufot and Najeema Washington, started the organization from a Twitter conversation. It is bold and in your face. It let’s everyone know that we are here. Our membership has grown from the three founders to over 400 in less than a year.

What campaigns, events or other efforts are you working on right now or looking forward to that have the potential to increase women cycling?

Black Women Bike are working on campaigns to encourage black women to consider cycling for commuting and/or recreation. In addition, we are hoping to get more black women in leadership of existing bike advocacy organizations, such as WABA.

What advice would you give to women who are wary of cycling — or to women who want to have a bigger impact in advancing cycling in their community?

If you want to have an bigger impact in advancing cycling, the first step is to be seen.  Black Women Bike started from a conversation about a young black girl who was excited to see me biking through her neighborhood. Your mere presence is a statement. The second step it to be at the table for transportation projects in your neighborhood. Remind people there needs to be a place for cyclists.

If you could look 20 years into the future of the cycling movement, how would you hope things would be different?

In 20 years, I’d like to see cycling be a culture similar to cities in Europe. Our road capacities are approaching their maximums. We need to look at alternative modes, such as cycling, to move people around the city.

(Washington, DC) Just in time with daylight savings, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has launched its Got Lights? program in partnership with the District Department of Transportation, the City of Alexandria, and Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling.

The Got Lights campaign is a joint safety and educational campaign aiming to raise awareness of the importance of cyclists being seen at dusk, dawn, and night. In an effort to ensure bicyclists are seen, WABA is handing out 800 free bike lights to bicyclists, as well as other bicycle safety literature, in three different DC locations. The campaign will extend only until November 8th, but the message of “Be safe and be seen” will continue to linger in WABA’s ongoing efforts and events. 
To get your free lights and to find out more about the “Got Lights?” campaign, visit WABA’s website at http://www.waba.org/events/gotlights.php. 

On October 2, 2009, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and many other bike enthusiasts shared in the ribbon cutting celebration of the new state-of-the art BikeStation® D.C. Opening the ceremony to a shoulder to shoulder audience, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty stated, “This is not a crowd but a response to a growing national trend.”

The D.C. bike station was built in concert with Mobis Transportation/Bikestation and funded by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Federal Highway Administration. DDOT Director Kelin said, “This new architecturally striking facility serves as a symbol that bicycling is a legitimate form of transportation.” The architect designed the station to reflect the image of a bike helmet and also embody sustainability.

The new bike station’s glass enclosure minimizes power usage and recycles rainwater for use in irrigating surrounding plants. BikeStation® D.C. will house approximately 133 secure bicycle parking spaces, and provide changing rooms and lockers. In addition, the BikeStation® D.C. will be staffed daily (Weekdays 7am-7pm, Weekends 9am-5pm) by Bike and Roll Washington D.C., offering bicycle repair, retail sales, and bike rental.  Individuals can purchase a membership for 24/7 access to the station. For more information about BikeStation® D.C visit http://www.bikestation.com/washingtondc/index.asp.

According to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, “Thousands of bicyclists turned out to celebrate Bike to Work Day 2009 at locations in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.  Over 8,000 people signed up to participate in advance of the event, which set a new record for registrations. Bicyclists gathered at a total of 26 “pit stops” featuring entertainment, food, drinks, and raffles.  Experienced WABA volunteers helped lead “commuter convoys” from across the area to Freedom Plaza and other pit stop destinations. Convoy leaders assisted participants with safe riding and equipment tips as well as showing riders the best route to their destination.”

For more information, click here…

The City Council of Washington, DC recently passed the Bicycle Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 at the urging of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA).  Following the death of cyclist Alice Swanson in Washington, DC last summer WABA worked hard with their local political leaders to pass a bill that would better protect cyclists on the city’s streets.  The bill requires advanced bike and pedestrian safety training for the drivers of city-owned heavy vehicles, mandates blind spot mirrors, blind spot warning stickers, and rear wheel under-run guards on the city’s heavy vehicle fleet, adds a new fine for driving in bike lanes, and establishes a three foot passing law.

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The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) coordinated the successful America Bikes to the Inauguration effort in conjunction with the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. According to WABA’s Executive Director, Eric Gilliland, “We parked 2,040 bikes which, to my knowledge, is the most ever valet parked in one day in the US.  We didn’t lose a single bike and the one helmet that went missing was eventually found.” Everyone who parked a bike received a commemorative spoke card.

To view photos from this historic effort visit http://flickr.com/photos/waba/sets/72157612778271825/