I believe that the bicycle is a powerful tool for connecting communities, breaking down barriers, and reducing social inequities. Riding bicycles through the city is also a wonderful way to learn about urban social and physical divisions.

I believe that city decision processes tend to reinforce rather than reduce social inequities, and that traditional bike advocacy is predominantly white and male because it is complicit in racial exclusions. Top-down planning is fraught with the risk of reinforcing the advantages and disadvantages of urban communities.

Therefore, I believe that bike advocacy must foreground social justice issues if it is to be a force for good in the city.

I also believe that people are motivated to ride bikes not by the absence of stress, but by the presence of joy. I joyfully experience cycling and I work to share that joy.

I strive to learn about the work being done at the grassroots. I provide a critical eye on the work being done by the city and by advocacy organizations. I want to find new ways to use cycling to increase understanding of the social issues of the city.

And, I do my best thinking when I’m riding. Join me and we can learn together.