Women Who Bike: Beatriz

BIKE NOPA & Bikes and The City have spun out a collaborative bike series, Women Who Bike. Each Monday and Wednesday, we will feature San Francisco women and their bicycles. Check both our blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share with you.
Let us know your thoughts and leave comments for the featured riders!

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Women Who Bike: Beatriz
How would you characterize your bicycling style?
B. I am an old-lady on my bike, I get off when I see train tracks, a very steep hill, a busy intersection or anything that may prove difficult while balancing on two wheels. I still can't do some of the basics such as stand while biking, signal with my hands (without losing my balance) or change gears correctly. For these reasons, I take it sloooooooowwww and that's fine with me :)

Something basic: how often do you bike and what for?
B. I use it everyday to go to work (9 minute ride), to go to meetings, to go to the park, to buy groceries. I save $70 each month by riding my bike and not buying a FastPass.

What could be done in SF to encourage more women, including teens and younger, to bike?
B. Find a way to sell cheap bikes in San Francisco. I got two bikes at the Oakland flea market and they both got stolen. The bike I have now I got at the Alemany flea market for $37 but they didn't have very many there. I don't think in SF you're technically allowed to sell bikes that way anymore. It's sad because the bike shops in SF are way too expensive. There should also be more bike basics trainings for women. I have alotta friends who are too scared/embarrassed to start riding again.

How many of your best dates/friendships started with biking?
B. My ex-boyfriend re-introduced me to biking. Me-n-my bike are still together, but he and I are not.

I surprise people when I bike by (or with) -
B. When I show up to a meeting with my helmet, people will often ask if I just biked there. The answer is yes.

Other little things:
- My favorite meal after a long ride (or in between) is:
B. Anything in the Mission, any excuse to eat out

- The best way to hydrate in between rides is:
B. water – from my water bottle


- A personal item I must have or bring while riding my bike
B. I can't go anywhere without my glasses. I can't bike in the rain, because the water drops stick to my lenses and I can't see!

My message to women who want to try biking:
B. I've heard girl friends say they don't wanna bike because they're scared of getting in an accident, or scared of traffic, or falling, etc. But I feel safer on my bike than I do riding the 14 bus, walking home late at night, taking a taxi with a driver I don't know, or getting a ride with people earlier/later than I wanted to leave a place/party. Biking = freedom, in many many ways. I love it.

I first met Beatriz via the Calitexican. Has been a pleaseure to meet other women through women riders and amigas on the bike lane. Cheers to more bike rides and yummy food and everything!!

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♥ Gracias Betty!! ♥

Don't forget to check out BIKE NOPA for more Women Who Bike profiles.
Women who bike: Take the Writing Women Back into Bicycling survey online by May 15th. More than 7300 women already have. Survey conducted by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP). See survey here: link
If you or someone you know would like to participate email me at bikesandthecity +at+ gmail
For women in the NOPA area, contact Michael at BIKE NOPA

See previous Bikes & The City profiles here: Women Who Bike Series
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Like all photographs posted in this blog: ©Photos taken by meligrosa
unless otherwise stated and if so, always credited.