Great article from the Road CC about an upcoming protest tomorrow taking place in Saudi Arabia about women's rights of transportation.
"Simply, ‘Wadjda’ is a story about a girl who wants to ride a bike.
The film approaches a number of the legal and cultural boundaries that
restrict women in Saudi Arabia, while keeping the young protagonist’s
desire to ride her bike case-in-point."
The International Day of the Girl is fast approaching! It's October 11th this year. Get out those red markers and make your best circles! What is that day you ask? Plan Canada can fill you in!
The International Day of the Girl
gives us a powerful way to highlight the particular needs and rights of
girls, and to advocate for greater action and investment to enable
girls to reach their full potential. Today, girls still face discrimination in many
parts of the world simply because they are girls. They face unique
challenges such as barriers to education and opportunities to make a
living, early and forced marriage, and poverty. By ensuring girls have a right to an education,
we’ll help them attain the tools they need to create a better life for
themselves and lift entire nations out of poverty. Here’s why:
For every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by 15 to 25%.
A woman who is educated will marry later and have fewer, healthier children.
Women invest more of their income in their families than men do.
It's awesome, right? This year you can support in celebrate in a special way by going to one of the many film screenings of Girl Rising, taking place all over Canada! Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal all have movie screenings going on that both support the program and develop community.
If you don't know about #psycopathbiketour, then look it up! Andi Xoch, Gloria Vasquez and Natalia Efe just accomplished their cross country tour and have arrived in NYC all the way from LA. Mad love and respect to these amazing womyn! Enjoy NYC and your accomplishments. We look forward to seeing what comes out of your journeys, and then what spreads from that.
My fav quote: "It's important. We need that sisterhood, and sisterhood isn't accomplished overnight."
Support via paypal by sending your love to: xochmex@gmail.com. They got some bad-news-bears last week when a cop gave them a ticket instead of a warning (womp womp) on an interstate.New York City, reach out and show your love to these formidable SiStars.
That time is come again to help the Deadly Nightshades out! We were asked to submit to the VeloCity 2013 Visionary Awards, so we did! Please Take two mintues to vote for us in the category of Cycling and Arts. We would be over the moon to get our name out there in Vienna this year and promote what we do in the city of Toronto, and even have the possibility of going there ourselves! There are also bursaries to be won in each category. We promise to use the winnings on magic beans and condo shares on Mars.
You have to confirm your vote by email, so enter in a valid one. (They don't spam you afterwards, which is nice so you don't have to worry about that!) Voting ends April 15th! Please share with your friends, family, followers, co-workers and neighbours!
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan began in 1979. For ten years, the war raged on, and was considered a "Proxy War" of the Cold War. After the Soviets pulled out, the impoverished, traumatized country was ripe for the control of the Taliban. Then 911 happened. Even before this modern history, Afganistan has been in dispute and a strategic region of Britan and Czarist Russia, then the US and Stalinist USSR. Basically, no one has "won" anything in Afghanistan, especially Afghanis, with instability and unspeakable injustices still rampant, specifically towards women.
What can a caring person do to help today? There are many ways. One way Mountain2Mountain has been creating change has been through it's programs that advocate for women in sports, specifically with mountain biking. Through empowering women on equity issues like transportation and sports, they are giving voices to women and children in conflict zones, and creating an international community of support and advocacy. They are telling stories, and creating the world they want to live in through their work. It's possible. We as human beings created this mess, and we can love and create our way out of it.
If you don't know who Elly Blue is- how are we friends? Just kidding. You should get to know this Portland based writer, publisher, and social curator. Since 2006 she has been writing about cycling as a transportation module, and she has been published in such kick-ass feminist publications like Grist, Bitch, and Momentum Magazines. Working with the Portland Society, she co-founded PDX-By Bike, which is a bike-centric business promotion initiative.
So back her kick-starter, and buy one of the amazing books from her online store Taking the Lane while you're at it.
On international woman's day, it's good to remember the connection the early 20th century's woman's movement had to bicycles. They got us out of the corset, provided mobility and independence, and were a symbol of freedom and modernity. Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom by National Geographic. I haven't read this book myself yet, but I want to, especially with the author Sue Macy giving rad answers like this:
Q: Why are bikes still important to women? A: I
think that Leah Missbach Day does a great job in the foreword to Wheels
of Change of explaining how bicycles are still important to one
population of women--those in developing countries who are able to
increase their mobility astronomically with the bicycles they received
through World Bicycle Relief. But today in the U.S., bicycles are
important to everybody. They allow people to do errands without using
fossil fuels, to get great cardiovascular exercise, to see their
surroundings in a whole new way. My neighborhood isn’t great for
cycling--too much traffic and too many hills--but I try to ride at least
once a week in the spring, summer, and fall, usually stopping at a
nearby farmers' market to restock on fruits and vegetables. It’s a
healthy way to live.
Here are three rad rad female and bike related videos for your eyeball and ear pleasure.
This week at the National Bike Summit, Veronica Davis, the founder of Black Women Bike, gave this inspiring talk about her background, community and passion. I took away many tid-bits of insight and wisdom on unconventional engagement and breaking down barriers, along with being inspired by her incredible work ethic and dedication.
Next up- Ladies Army 5. This year it's in Vancouver- sorry, EastVan. If you can get your gears to Vancouver, do so. It's beautiful, laid back, and beautiful. But watch out, the beauty is going to cost you. Rent, food and alcohol are more expensive in Beautiful British Columbia. Some say BC stands for bring cash. So plan ahead ladies.
Last, but not least, the incredible Jenna Marbles on "Why Girls Hate Each Other." Don't think it belongs in with this other list of awesome I just put above? Let's be real here girls. Jokes like this don't take over the internet for no reason. We got to address some things. In throwing off the shackles of oppression, it's good to throw out the BS that came along with it, like comparing, competing and judging each other. When we do that "...we can just be b*tches together... you know, vaginas unite!"
Think about it. If you disagree, the comment box bellow is a safe space to say so.
... "are a ferocious and unapologetic group of young women of color, cycling
through the barrios and boulevards of the Eastside, committed to
collectively confronting racism and violence, and demanding and creating
safe spaces for women."
These women are incredibly inspiring. (I am really upset I only heard about their kickstarter after it closed.) Their brand of emancipated, grass roots, independent, healing form of community based activism is what is going to change the world. For years we have been hearing about the huge social and economic problems associated with LA and various groups working on change, but never has there been such a clear, assured, and action based voice from the women of the streets of LA. Follow them on Facebook to see all the incredible events they are putting on and supporting.
The League of American Cyclists have a new free webinar series. The first one was a great talk on "How to Start and Sustain a Women's Bike Club", which featured a talk by our lovely friend Sarai at GIRL BIKE LOVE. This Wednesday, February 27th, anyone around the world can join in on the topic of Women Mean Business: The Economic Impact of Women Bicyclists.
"Though underrepresented in many aspects of the bicycle movement, there's
growing evidence that women hold the purse strings when it comes to the
future success of the bike industry."
Women Mean Business also happens to be the theme of the upcoming Woman's National Cycling Summit on March 4th in the 'Murican capital of Washington DC.
"The Forum will include keynote addresses from industry pioneer Georgena Terry (pictured), Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, as well as break-out sessions, lunch plenary, networking and so much more."
The cycling industry may be the last one in the world to get that women have money,
like to spend money, and will spend money on cycling products when given the proper
chance. Even the PGA, the grand-daddy of Golf (a sport also referred to as the second board room), just announced it is targeting women to ensure the fiscal sustainability of the sport.Time has painted the picture of the growing spending power of women. Lil Wayne can sit down. Ladies are the ones making it rain.
It's time we had that talk Cycling Industry. It's not us. It's you. We have money. We want to bike. So if we aren't biking and we aren't spending, you're doing it wrong. That means you're not giving us good products, good prices and good distribution. It's not just making pink bikes with flowers. Or putting a model on a bike to pose in your ads. Or making biking to women only about being"fashionable". (I understand the irony of a Deadly Nightshade writing this.) Marketing lifestyle choices and marketing fashion apparel are different things at the end of the day.
Maybe some of you bike companies could take a hint from Elen DeGeneres.
But before products, women cycling is about advocacy and government lobbying. The car industry does that right. At Velo-City 2012, I got to learn the hard data of getting more women cycling. It's all about safety, or perceived safety. Marisa Espinosa- Senior Manager of Service Planning, Translink BC, pointed out that their data shows that the cycling "gender gap" is also due to women being the primary child care providers in Vancouver, which means transporting young children. It means curating families and raising the next generation of citizens, and shaping the transportation choices they make in the future. Without proper cycling infrastructure like separated bike lanes, reduced car traffic speed and laws, few women are willing to look past the dangers of cycling on our car-ruled roads.
Let's take a minute to remember the late Jenna Morrison, her son, her husband, and her unborn child. Our traffic system, transport truck laws and justice system completely failed this family. How can we expect to get more families cycling when we don't address this? Ironically, cars kill more children via collisions and lifestyle diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle. (That's not even getting into environmental factors like local air pollution causing childhood asthma, or catastrophic climate change.) In the long run, we are hurting ourselves and children more by sticking to cars thinking they are "safe."
So it is a combination of solid safety infrastructure creation, and addressing the issue of the perceived safety issue. Throw in some pretty girls on bikes to make people smile, sure! I'm all for it. Let's be real for a minute; biking can be dangerous. We can fix that. Car culture, grid lock, and auto emissions are killing us everyday. Bikes can fix that.
Watch this speech by the Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Gil Panalosa. He is the executive director of 8-80 Cities, based out of Toronto. Wouldn't it be swell if our city actually took his advice? To bring it back, he talks about sustainable cities, children, the need for "complete street systems", proper road design, and the incredible force that is NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Back in the day St. Valentinus was a Martyr for marrying Roman soldiers in Christian ceremonies. Today is his feast day. It became wildly popular in the Romantic era as a courtship thing, and wildly over commercialized in our era. Not being a hallmark girl, I don't take this as a day to do the traditional things while in a relationship or do Bridget Jones lamenting if I am single. F that noise. Right now I am going to reflect on what loving in a difficult time means. How can you practice love in a time of oppression and difficulty?
One Billion Rising to me is just awesome. Women and men from around the world are standing in solidarity against a culture of fear, power and violence. It's awesome, check it out. You can get a live stream from events all over the world, and check out uploaded videos from previous years.
This amazing documentary on rising girls in the pro BMX circuit is one of the best things I have seen so far. Women cyclists seem to be breaking into in the bike scenes in all regards, from sports to infrastructure.
Recently, we've been interviewed a fair bit, and everyone wants to know how the the Deadly Nightshades started. Well, after Venus's blood gave birth to us on Mt. Olympus, we largely bonded out of saying "F YOUR RULES". 'Cause know what? We can rock up to fashion week and glam parties on our bikes. We can create amazing fashion without hurting the environment or using semi-slave labour. We can have a design collective slash bike gang. Why not? Hello, it's the millennium!
Don't scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.
Oh, and it gets better. I suggest you young lady cyclists out there read up on it. I am so grateful to all the women cyclists before me who broke barriers and helped create a better world for women on the road. I pledge to help in every way I can to make sure bicycles are not just for boys.
On the other hand, DNS was also largely formed out of having rules- moral rules that is.
Amisha Ghadiali's and Joana Casaca Lemos collaborated on 12 Rules to Dress By, an amazing visual lists to inspire and help everyone have a more sustainable wardrobe. I support their goal that 2012 will Be The Year Of The Sustainable Wardrobe. When you go to their website, they have the checklist in French, Jurjati, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Turkish, and much more with more languages to come. Making this information accessible in more languages is a very challenging step to undertake, but it shows a forceful commitment to equality and global change.
Congratulations Amisha and Joana. Happy 2012 World! With so many amazing people in the world making changes, I am so excited for what humans are going to be writing about us in a century.
So in the vein of promoting amazing women on bikes, if you haven't heard of the Belle Starrs from Fort Collins, Colorado, you really should have. They are a group of women who came together to foster community, wellness, and empowerment through bicycling. Sounds about right. They do everything from group rides, to bike camping to being super rad. You better believe the next time we're in Colorado, there will be some serious lady crews happening.
They also just put out an awesome calender last month, and if you haven't picked up a copy.... you probably should. We're just sad they beat us to it. A DNS Calendar has been in talks for a while. Ha. But seriously. They're BABES!
A hero of mine passed away on Sunday. Wangari Maathai died of breast cancer at the age of 71. She is a real life Jonny Apple Seed, planting trees, ideas and inspiration in the hearts of millions.
"Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai started the Green Belt Movement in 1977, working with women to improve their livelihoods by increasing their access to resources like firewood for cooking and clean water. She became a great advocate for better management of natural resources and for sustainability, equity, and justice."- Greenbelt Website
Plants are the source of wealth. Not the stupid autistic stock market. Not balanced spreadsheets. Not subsidies and banks. That's a new contrived system that's only about 500 years old.
Plants are older then time and the workhorses of the planet. Evolutionary wise, we owe plants everything, as turned a hostile environment of carbon, methane and gaseous turmoil into a livable planet to support the evolution of life. If you are a creationist, it's one of the first things God created and called good. Plants turn the energy from the sun into energy we can use to eat, make into into electricity, and in the process creates the air we breath. Forests hold together the soil, put water back into the air along with oxygen, cooling the atmosphere through transpiration. Green makes you happy and relaxed. Being in nature heals the soul calms the mind.
I'd like to see a balanced budget spreadsheet do THAT. [That was for you, Mr. Harper and Rob Ford.]
The world is getting so crazy and complicated we are forgetting the basics.
Wangari was great because she recognized that the solution for complicated issues can come from simple truths... Plant a tree. She didn't listen when others said she was crazy. She spoke and lived her truths, and was rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize. Read more here in this New York Times article from 2004.
She did it out of love for her fellow women, love of children, love of this planet, a love of the future. Greatness and strength come out of love, not fear, power or greed. Looking around the world it seems a lot of us have forgotten this.
Do yourself a favour and plant something in her memory. I'm in NYC and I'm not sure how and where to do this, but it's going to happen. Greatness lives on in the hearts and actions of the future. For our future, do the simplest thing and be a Jonny Apple Seed. Or as Wangari said, be a humming bird.
