Bicycle Mayor Launches Femmes & Buddies Group to Confront Biking Limitations

Alison Stewart, the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto, is well-known for biking advocacy and her dedication to creating Canada’s largest metropolis extra bike-friendly for all. Not too long ago, she introduced the formation of a brand new initiative geared toward addressing a big hole within the metropolis’s bike neighborhood: the underrepresentation of girls, trans, and femme cyclists. This new group, Femmes & Buddies, is not only about driving bikes—it’s about making a supportive house the place ladies can come collectively, share the enjoyment of biking, and problem the boundaries that usually hold them from feeling secure and comfy on the roads.

Bridging the Gender Hole

Stewart’s inspiration for creating Femmes & Buddies got here from her personal experiences as a lady bike owner in a metropolis the place public areas and transportation methods have been traditionally formed by the wants and preferences of males. In Toronto, ladies usually face a gender imbalance on the subject of biking—each by way of accessibility and the consolation stage of biking in public areas.

“Ladies face sexist and misogynistic behaviors when in public, making what must be a easy act of exercising or biking a frightening prospect,” Stewart explains. “Even earlier than you think about the dearth of secure biking infrastructure, the ambiance can usually really feel unwelcoming for ladies.”

For Stewart, this imbalance was not only a private problem, but additionally a societal one which wanted to be addressed. As each an avid bike owner and a biking advocate, she was motivated to assist construct a tradition that encourages extra ladies, trans, and femme people to embrace biking and really feel snug doing so.

Femmes & Buddies: A Welcoming Area for All

The mission of Femmes & Buddies is evident: to foster a collective of girls who get pleasure from biking and wish to share that pleasure with others. The group’s occasions are designed to create a secure, inclusive, and supportive surroundings the place ladies of all ages, talents, identities, incomes, and mobilities can collect with out concern of judgment or competitors.

“Our bike rides goal to be pure theatre with none drama,” says Stewart. The purpose is to have enjoyable, have a good time biking, and construct neighborhood—to not push anybody past their limits or make them really feel misplaced. Femmes & Buddies is about constructing connections and confidence, not competitors.

Femmes & Buddies kicks off with a Bike Truthful in Toronto on March 9.

Femmes & Buddies: For Enjoyable and Connection

Whereas the core mission of Femmes & Buddies revolves round making a constructive biking tradition, the group can even host a variety of thrilling occasions all year long. From celebrating Bike Month and World Automobile-Free Day to embracing the festive spirit with Halloween rides, these occasions will provide an opportunity for individuals to affix collectively and luxuriate in biking in a enjoyable and accessible means.

All rides will incorporate a variety of components that emphasize enjoyable and inclusivity. There can be a picnic to share meals and tales, a “strive a motorcycle” part for newcomers who may not have their very own bicycle, and a gradual roll format to make sure that everybody can sustain no matter expertise or health stage.

“We wish individuals to indicate up as they’re—put on no matter you want, whether or not it’s an informal outfit or one thing somewhat extra festive. It’s about having fun with the experience, the individuals, and the ambiance,” Stewart provides.

To reinforce the festive ambiance, Femmes & Buddies rides will function playful components akin to balloons, bubbles, vibrant flowers, and music—all geared toward creating constructive vibes that encourage individuals to expertise the enjoyment of biking in a stress-free surroundings.

Constructing a Motion

The creation of Femmes & Buddies marks a big step towards a extra inclusive biking tradition in Toronto. By specializing in enjoyable, neighborhood, and accessibility, Stewart helps to dismantle the boundaries that too usually discourage ladies from biking. It’s a motion that not solely empowers ladies and femmes to embrace biking but additionally promotes a shift in how public areas and transportation are perceived and designed.

Because the group continues to develop, it’s anticipated to play an vital function in shaping the way forward for biking in Toronto, making a tradition the place everybody, no matter gender or identification, can benefit from the freedom and pleasure of driving a motorcycle.

For Stewart, this initiative is extra than simply about biking—it’s about creating an enduring change that transforms town’s relationship with public house, security, and neighborhood. By Femmes & Buddies, she hopes to encourage extra ladies, trans, and femme people to take to the streets and reclaim public areas for themselves.

As biking advocates know, it’s not nearly getting from level A to level B. It’s about constructing a world the place everybody feels welcome, supported, and capable of transfer freely. Femmes & Buddies is a step in that path.