There are a handful of countries that get it when it comes to biking; places where skirts, children, road conditions and male-dominated bike culture is not a barrier to entry. Unfortunately so much of what we see of cycling culture is the spandex-clad Tour de France sprinters...elite bikers. If you don't identify with the riders that you see, it's hard to image being a cyclist yourself. If you're worried about your bike breaking down on a long ride, or feeling vulnerable on the roads, you probably bike less than you'd like to. Vie Cycle's mission is to empower women+ to build confidence, competence and community through bike maintenance. We want more people to ride bikes because they're a sustainable transportation option that has the power to positively impact people's minds & bodies, as well as our environment & the economy. We also acknowledge that there are many barriers to biking, one of which is a lack of representation for WTF cyclists. In order to make cycling more accessible to everyone, Vie Cycle is focusing on making a safe space for WTF folks to learn bike maintenance skills and build community. We hope that by creating this space and elevating WTF riders, we'll be able to transform bike culture, making it more welcoming and accessible to all riders, no matter your gender identify, skin color, body type, age or interest.
What does Vie Cycle do exactly? Through experiential education techniques, discussions and group activities we teach bike lingo, anatomy, essential maintenance skills, and how to fix things when you're in a pinch. The workshops are focused around empowerment and confidence building. We have discussions about safe riding habits, fitting your bike to your unique body and how to access cycling communities in your area.
Vie Cycle often teams up with cycling clubs, women's organizations, schools, bike shops and small businesses to promote community building. The primary focus of Vie Cycle is to provide a safe learning space for people who feel like a minority in the bike world. With that said, we also offer open courses. If you or your group is interested in taking a workshop, get in touch. Either we will help you find a workshop in your area, or we will design a Vie Cycle workshop for your group.