• Female-led group ride ends with bike festival at new Bikeway Village in Imperial Beach
• Proceeds from event to go toward biking initiatives encouraging inclusivity

San Diego County CA— On September 17, hundreds of women of all ages and abilities in San Diego will unite on bikes to commemorate the power of two wheels. As a bike ride for women designed by women, Women Ride IB will celebrate and encourage everyday biking across San Diego with an inclusive ride ending at a bike party showcasing female-owned businesses and wineries.
The inaugural, female-led ride will roll through Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City – encouraging women, men and children of all abilities to join in on the fun. By pedaling along the scenic ride, participants will raise funds for the San Diego Bike Coalition to invest in advocacy programs that promote ridership across all areas of San Diego.
“For some time now, women bike riding has mostly focused on competitive racing or athletic performance,” says Bike Coalition Program Coordinator Skii Fleeton-Essenfeld. “Yet, we’re at the forefront of a movement – our cities and streets are changing to allow for leisurely and everyday biking. We want to educate and encourage all genders, ages and abilities to embrace biking in their daily lives.”
A committee of women bike riders from all over the county came together to name, plan and execute this first-ever ride. The brains behind Women Ride IB include Bike Coalition board members and staff, Mixte Communications staff and other community bicycling advocates.
“What better way to plan an empowering female ride than with some of the most innovative and influential women riders across San Diego who share a love for better biking,” says Fleeton-Essenfeld.
Women Ride IB will take off starting around 10 a.m. in two groups guided by female staff from San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association. Riders have the choice of an 18-mile road route from Imperial Beach’s Bikeway Village to National City or a 10-mile trail route through Otay Valley Regional Park. After soaking in the beautiful sights on either route, participants can enjoy the ultimate post-ride celebration complete with wine, food and local bike vendors at the Bikeway Village.
Registration for the ride is required and can be found at www.sdbikecoalition.org/event/women-bike-ib-sdcbc-inaugural-womens-ride/. All are welcome to join the fun, and children under 12-years-old can ride for free. A portion of Women Ride IB proceeds benefit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, an organization advocating for and protecting the rights of all people who ride bicycles.
For more information on the San Diego Bike Coalition and making San Diego County a better place to ride bikes, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.