Tuesday, December 15, 2009

All In The Family

When asked what I think would get people out on bicycles I always say you have to get the Moms. If you want urban bicycling to catch hold and really make a difference in how we all live you have to get the moms on bicycles, preferably with their kids. But really, the idea extends to families, period. If you get families to ride the rest will fall into place.

Saturday Cycle Modes
image by Amsterdamize

To do that we will all have to demand safe space for our kids to ride.




If parents feel that their children are safe then they will put them on two wheels to get where they are going.


Supermom (& kids!)
image by Bike Pilot

When kids can travel under their own power, everyone benefits.


Sibling Ridery

If it is safe enough for our families then it is safe enough for everyone and then everyone has the opportunity to ride.

The time has come for all of us to create the world we want to live in. Find a way to get involved in your city. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it!
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12 comments:

  1. JulianDecember 15, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    It's a family affaaaaiirrr ...

    How cool to see my girl and the carfreedays crew in such a nice post! I couldn't agree more.

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  2. anneDecember 15, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    So true....I couldn't agree more

    Women are key to a successful bike culture

    We need to get more women to join us...one bike ride and one conversation at a time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. calitexicanDecember 15, 2009 at 1:19 PM

    i am particularly proud that 4 women contribute to this blog. we're going in the right direction.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adrienne JohnsonDecember 15, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    4 woman and an almost 5 year old boy : )

    ReplyDelete
  5. calitexicanDecember 15, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    he needs an email because he's an internet sensation. or does he have one already?! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paulo RafaelDecember 15, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    great pics, congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Emma JDecember 15, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Yes, yes, and yes!

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  8. ChristaDecember 16, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    Great post, Adrienne!

    It always makes my day to see families and children cycling.

    I hope that bicycle moms continue to inspire safe bicycle infrastructure.

    Love love love the first photo!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ibikelondonDecember 17, 2009 at 1:45 AM

    Absolutely spot on as always ladies - if we want cycling to be something for the masses then it needs to be something the masses feel safe doing.

    We all know that cycling is as safe as walking down the street, or vacuuming your house, but the general public's perception is that it's a dangerous activity and a bit of a hair shirt. The more people like you who are out there every day (with kids in tow!) showing cycling to be the everyday and ordinary activity that it is, the better.

    Ride on Moms!

    Mark
    i b i k e l o n d o n

    ReplyDelete
  10. DottieDecember 19, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    I was thinking about family biking the other day while on my normal city streets bike commute. I would never ride that same route with a kid in tow, and it's a marked bike route with alternating bike lanes and sharrows. The infrastructure in Chicago needs to be improved A LOT before parents will feel confident riding their kids around. Taking side streets would be fine, but side streets end all the time and never go over highways and rivers, so they are not feasible routes for traveling beyond one's neighborhood.

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  11. ChristaDecember 20, 2009 at 9:43 PM

    We need some books/movies/magazines/celebrities/politicians/realityTVshows that resonate the family cycling lifestyle.

    It's just a matter of time.

    Can't wait to hear all the stories in ten years.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Adrienne JohnsonDecember 22, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Thanks for the comments, everyone! I think everyone knows instinctively that the family unit is the one by which a healthy cycling culture should be measured.

    ReplyDelete

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