National Women’s Bicycling Conference

Register now for the National Women's Bicycling Summit to be held on from 2-11 p.m. on September 13, 2012 in Long Beach, California. This first-ever event is co-hosted by the League of American Bicyclists and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, in partnership with Women on Bikes SoCal and Pro Walk Pro Bike.

The Summit will provide a unique opportunity to network, share best practices and develop action steps to get more women in your community out riding. It will provide the space for us to create a bike future where women of all backgrounds are equally represented on the streets and in the movement!

The program will include:
- 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
- Social event and bike ride!

Registration is now open: Click here to sign up! Tickets are $35.

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. Come learn about Maureen's transformation and more!

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 will feature six break-out sessions, including media, diversity and car-free families. Speakers will include:

• Manal Aboelata, Prevention Institute
• Dotsie Bausch, Olympic track cyclist
• Elly Blue, writer/speaker, Taking the Lane
• Yolanda Davis-Overstreet, Ride in Living Color
• Cathy DeLuca, author of "An Examination of Women's Representation and Participation in Bicycle Advisory Committees in California"
• Emily Finch, Car-free mother of six
• Kristin Gavin, founder, Gearing Up
• Mia Kohout, publisher, Momentum magazine
• Allison Mannos, co-founder, Multicultural Communities for Mobility
• Ovarian Psychos women’s bike brigade
• Staff and youth leaders from Recycle-A-Bicycle
• and others!

Click here to check out the full program and speakers!

Get involved!

Ideas? Questions? Contact Carolyn Szczepanski: carolyn@bikeleague.org