Social Networking

National Women's Bicycling Summit
September 13, 2012 | Long Beach, CA

The National Women's Bicycling Summit was held on September 13, 2012 in Long Beach, California. This first-ever event was co-hosted by the League of American Bicyclists and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, in partnership with Women on Bikes SoCal and the Pro Walk Pro Bike: Pro Place conference.

The Summit provided a unique opportunity to network, share best practices and develop action steps to get more women in your community out riding -- and more than 275 people from across the nation attended!

The program included: A keynote address from Leah Missbach Day, co-founder of World Bicycle Relief; six break-out sessions, on topics like equity and car-free families; the Cycle Chic Fashion Show; a social event and bike ride!

Click here for photos! Read more on the Bike League Blog and stay tuned for additional resources, recaps and videos!

Keynote address

The Bicycle as a Personal and Cultural Revolution
Leah Missbach Day
Co-founder, World Bicycle Relief

At World Bicycle Relief, we work to transform the lives of individuals and their communities through the power of bicycles. When addressing global development challenges, a single-speed bicycle can improve the dignity and quality of life for women. Entrepreneurs can get their goods to market; mothers gain access to life-saving medical clinics; girls are able to attend -- and stay in -- school. For young women like Maureen, a bicycle can be life-changing. Living in rural Zambia, Maureen wanted an education so badly she would walk seven miles to school. With a two-hour journey each way, she would often miss Fridays due to sheer exhaustion. With a bicycle, Maureen now goes to school regularly.

Leah Missbach Day is a documentary photographer, based in Chicago, whose work has been exhibited across the U.S. and internationally. In 2005, Day cofounded World Bicycle Relief, a global non-profit organization, which since 2005 has provided over 100,000 bicycles to families rebuilding livelihoods, caregivers combating disease, and students seeking access to education. Day frequently speaks on behalf of World Bicycle Relief and, as one of the organization’s primary photographers; her images and storytelling often serve as the centerpiece of the organization’s international campaigns. She serves on the board of EcoAmerica and received her M.F.A. in Photography from Columbia College Chicago.

Learn more at www.worldbicyclerelief.com.

Program and speakers

In addition to the keynote address, the Summit featured six break-out sessions, including media, diversity and car-free families. See the full list of speakers and sessions.

Click here to check out the full program and speakers!

Women Bike!

At the National Women's Bicycling Summit, the League launched a new program: Women Bike. Women Bike will empower more women to bicycle and become engaged in the diverse leadership opportunities of the bicycle movement -- as advocates, engineers, retailers, manufacturers and policy makers -- through networking, knowledge sharing, resources and inspiration. Read more.