Women Bike Atlanta is an organization of Metro Atlanta women who are interested in bicycling, cycling education, cycling advo- cacy, health and fitness. They are diverse in skills, training, and interests. The group fea- tures the following sub-groups: Recreational Cyclist, Endurance Athlete (Tri- athlete), Commuter, Social, Advocate, Mom & Tots.
The women of Women Bike Atlanta are a diverse and original group. They each bring something unique to the group while having many other things in common. Many of our members began cycling as girls. Dr. Lisa M. Dougherty, DPT, LMT, NCTMB, CSCI, Elite Wellness, Inc. remembers ”.... when I was outside playing or riding my bike with my siblings and friends.... as kids we used to ride all over town racing each other with the wind on our faces while listening to the rapid fire clicking of the cards on our spokes.” “I am pretty sure,” she continues, “that as a little girl I didn’t put much thought into the physical benefits that my body was gaining from enjoying one of my favorite outdoor activities.”
Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of the At- lanta Bike Coalition, says, “I started biking as a kid to become independent [and] con- tinued in college because it was a good way to get to class without a car.”
Reasons to continue cycling as adults run the gamut. Dr. Lisa reminds us that cycling is good for the mind, body, and spirit. “I often share with my patients that one of the great- est benefits of exercising is that it stimulates a hormone release that has a direct effect on minimizing your stress level and elevating your mood. Some of my best problem solv- ing and creative ideas come while I am cy- cling.” She also speaks of the joy of spirit and peace of mind being outside cycling. She remind us that cycling is an activity that will help manage your weight, blood pressure, metabolism rate, strength, flexibility, cardio
& muscular endurance. Rebecca speaks to the fact that cycling helped her get to and maintain a healthy weight. While Janice Giddens, MS, RD, LD, a Registered Dieti- tian, agrees. Cycling has kept her on a path to health and longevity, and “it has given me opportunities to explore deep forests and led me over, under and around beautiful moun- tains and waterfalls. When I have spent too much time away from my bike, riding it again humbles me and gives me the perspec- tive I need to encourage others to keep at it when they first attempt to ride a bike again after many years.”
As I have spoken to women about riding, I have heard a few common refrains: “I know, I should....” “I used to” and “ I would but ________ .(fill in the blank.)” What I find common to most of these conversations is a lack of knowledge and confidence.
Women Bike Atlanta is in the process of developing a strong system of mentoring. Members who are already strong in cycling will serve as mentors to those developing in various aspects of cycling. With a depth of professionals among our ranks, there will al- ways be someone to mentor, coach, or con- duct a clinic or workshop. This system of mentoring makes the most of some incred- ible role models like Lori C. Palmer.
Lori C. Palmer is a personal trainer, exercise enthusiast, and owner of FitZone. She cycles for the camaraderie and the fitness benefits. She is a racer, and recreational rider as well as a commuter, who finds it to be an envi- ronmentally friendly, hassle-free way to save money while avoiding traffic. Lori has also “done mountain bike, road, track, and cyclo- cross races as well as triathlons in the past. This season I am looking forward to getting back into track racing at the Dick Lane Ve- lodrome.” “In addition,” she says, “I just think it’s cool to ride a bike.” Her awards, credentials, and accolades evidence just how “cool” riding a bike is to Lori. They include the 2003 Southeastern Cycling Road Cham- pion and the 2003 National Collegiate Track (Velodrome) Champion. She was awarded “Queen of the Mountain” at the 2011 Major Taylor Mountain Summit meaning that she was the first woman over the top.
The environment and saving money are a common theme. Some like Rebecca Serna, who saved enough for the down payment on a house, see the direct financial benefits. If you think that’s just one person, take a look at the recently published Bicycle Account published by Copenhagen. They found that, (when converted to US Dollars), one mile on a bike is an economic gain of $0.42 per mile to a society while one mile in a car is an eco- nomic loss of $0.20.
Rebecca Serna, Leading the panel and taking questions at ‘Better Biking for a Safer, Healthier, More Competitive City,’ on March 29, 2012
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