Connect to the Biking Community

By Caitlin Marshall

Just a few Wednesdays ago, I was having a rough day. It was blisteringly hot, and headlines on politics and climate were unsettling, to say the least. But at the end of the afternoon, I had something to look forward to: my first ever group bike ride.

I met up with a dozen or so women at a park in Falmouth, went over some hand signals and safety checks, and we headed out for an easy-going 10-mile loop. Passing fields buzzing with crickets, coasting down hills, and pushing to climb them again, all in the quiet company of other riders, I breathed easier than I had all day.

Group rides like this one (part of the Bicycle Coalition’s Women, Femmes & Thems Summer Series) are just one of many ways to get connected to the biking community here in Southern Maine. For me, riding in a group feels safer – and also just more fun. This themed ride expressly centering women also recognizes that there’s a history of excluding women from outdoor spaces. Likewise, there is a long tradition of American culture and laws that have kept BIPOC communities unwelcome, even violently so. Melanin Basecamp is one of many national hubs for BIPOC adventurers working to build a truly inclusive outdoors.

Other groups are working to lower the very real barrier of cost. Portland Gear Hub runs two programs, Kid’s Bike Party and Bikes for All Mainers, that provide free bicycles to eligible participants, along with training to empower cyclists to ride safely and learn bike maintenance. (And, if you’re in the fortunate position of owning an extra bike you don’t need, they accept donations!)

A More Welcoming Biking Community

Painted bike lanes, bike racks, routes that connect to public transit – all are part of the nuts and bolts of cycling infrastructure. The Portland Bike & Pedestrian Committee works with multiple city departments to shift our built environment to one that is safe and accessible. For a national perspective, peopleforbikes.org rates cities’ bike-friendliness, and shares ways to increase inclusivity.

Or perhaps the barrier for you is that biking sounds hard, and maybe boring? Portland Bike Party is here for you! With monthly Friday night rides featuring music, costumes, and frequent stops for dancing, they’re working to shift who feels welcome biking in this town – and have a heck of a good time doing it.

Improving infrastructure and incentives to welcome more biking to our city is a significant part of the One Climate Future plan. It helps to know we’re already on our way there. In fact, the number of people who bike to work in Portland and South Portland is triple the national average. But that’s still just 2%. Working together, we can grow this city into a truly bike friendly city, where we can all breathe a little easier.  

Bright Ideas is brought to you by PCAT, which meets the fourth Tuesday of the Month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. Not yet a member, send us an email to receive notices about future in-person or virtual meetings with ZOOM links. FMI email: Portlandclimate@gmail.com or visit http://facebookcom/PortlandClimateActionTeam.