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Bike Love News #14 - September 25, 2022

Hello and thanks for taking a moment to read Bike Love News - it's a little side project of mine where I pull together interesting stories on the difference bikes make in people's lives. I'd love to know what you think so please consider leaving a comment. OK, let's dive in!

Bike Enthusiast Starts First All-Women Cycling Club

Citing a lack of cohesion in the cycling community, and especially among women, local cyclist Sarah Mount decided that a women’s cycling club was something the Chippewa Valley desperately needed. So she started the Valley Girls – an inclusive women’s cycling club for all abilities, ages, and interests on two wheels.

How community bike shop Westminster Wheels is changing lives

Bike shop Westminster Wheels is providing opportunities for out of work residents to train as bike mechanics and be paid the London Living Wage while they are learning. The shop is located in one of the areas with the highest rate of unemployment and health inequality in Westminster. Throughout the six month programme, the trainees work alongside experienced bike mechanics refurbishing old bikes – of which 80% are sold at affordable prices to generate income for the shop, and 20% are donated to the local community. They even help connect them  to employment once the training is complete.
Portland Wheelers is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer outdoor adapted biking fun. Through an adaptive bike set-up, folks who ordinarily can't ride a bike join up with a 'pilot' who pedals while the rider enjoys the ride up front.

New Joe Louis Greenway wills stretch through 23 communities, 4 cities

Some exciting news closer to home. Stretching 27.5 miles, the Joe Louis Greenway will be a biking and walking trail extending from the Detroit Riverfront to Highland Park, Dearborn and Hamtramck. It also will connect to the Dequindre Cut. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until next spring to enjoy it when the first section will be complete. Looking forward to taking a ride.


Live longer, look sexier and 43 other reasons to ride a bicycle on world car free day

via Forbes
OK. Love the headline but missed the day. And why? Well, truthfully biking to work is quite a challenge where I live. I've done it. But it's not very safe and even though it's a short distance it adds quite a bit of time. I'm not proud of my excuses but I gotta be honest. This article from Forbes(!) provides a nice list of the many benefits of getting out of a car and on a bike once in a while. OK, I'm motivated to make it happen!
As a kid I LOVED riding a bike. I can still remember learning to ride. For years it meant freedom, adventure, exhilaration, exploration. So I guess I'm not surprised that biking is good for a kid's mental health. But still pleased to see the science behind it. Recent research has shown that aerobic exercise is related to improved cognitive functioninglike attention and academic performance. But some experts believe that when we hop on a bike, the improvements might be even more pronounced. Scientists are yet sure why, but it might have to something to do with all the executive-function skills cyclists use. "Research suggests that physical activity like cycling likely encourages new cell growth in areas of the brain linked to memory and problem solving." Let's Ride!


FreeBikes4Kidz Detroit collecting used bikes at Home Depot stores this Saturday

If you've got an old bike you're not using, FB4K is making it easy to get it to a kid who can benefit from it. Drop that bike off at any Home Depot this Saturday 10/1.



Utah non-profit hosts bike prom

Bicycle Collective, a Utah-based non-profit held their local bike prom as a social cycling fundraising event to benefit the construction of their New Hub building project. Looks like fun!

Durango's Spoketober celebrates cycling community

Spoketober will include a bike commuting empowerment group ride, a bicycle recycle and upcycle clinic, a costume bike parade with DEVO and a community cruise with the Adaptive Sports Association. 






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