PEAC Goes to Washington

2 years ago, PEAC landed in DC for the National Bike Summit amidst Cherry

Blossoms in full bloom and 70 degree weather. The theme of the summit in 2012 was

“Save Cycling”; it focused primarily on funding for bike infrastructure. Fast forward

to March, 2014. PEAC lands in DC amidst 30 degree temps and a snow storm that

shut down the bus system, regional trains, and the federal government. The theme this

year? United Spokes: Moving Beyond Gridlock. Carolyn Szczepanski of the League of

American Bicyclists described this year’s theme as “evocative to all of all the momentum

happening at the local level and the rising tide of equity as a key topic at the local, state,

and national level. We are heading it to Capital Hill to showcase our efforts to make a

bicycle friendly America for everyone.” This was definitely a theme I could warm up to.


I was so excited to see the League highlighting the power of the BIKE as an agent

of social change and empowerment at their summit. Many of the break-out sessions at

both the Women’s Forum and the Summit this year focused on Use based organizations

that are using bikes to empower underrepresented groups. On Monday, Shannon Galpin,

founder of Mountain 2 Mountain, a non-profit dedicated to empowering women and

girls in conflict zones, shared the work she does to support a women’s cycling team in

Afghanistan, a county where women riding bikes is considered immoral. Kristin Gavin,

founder of Gearing Up, shared the role cycling can play to help women “brake” cycles of

addiction, abuse, poverty, and incarceration at interim houses throughout Philadelphia.

We at PEAC are fortunate to be able to witness the transformative power of the

bike for individuals with disabilities every day. We believe in the power of the bike to

promote physical, mental, and emotional strength. We love the inclusive power of the

bike, and the opportunity it offers families to spend time together, and new friendships to

form. And finally, we are witnesses to the power of the bike as a mode of transportation,

offering individuals with disabilities access to their communities and a spontaneous,

independent lifestyle.


Right now, individuals with disabilities are not represented on the Equity

Advisory Council, and are not part of the League’s equity outreach efforts. Although

very disappointed by this exclusion, we are happy to report that the League is eager to

make changes. Next week, PEAC will be talking with Adonia Lugio, Equity Initative

Manager at the League, about next steps in creating a fully inclusive and inviting League

of American Bicyclists. I can’t wait to attend a Summit that is representative of ALL

cyclists. Here’s to 2015!