Boise State offers workshop on bicycle commuting issues for women

This year's Community Bicycle Congress at Boise State University will focus on bicycle commuting from the perspective of women.

The Bicycle Congress will host workshops featuring cycling community and businesses leaders. These recurring clinics (no need to attend more than one) are free and open to the public from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the following dates:

Wednesday, March 24, Student Union Hatch A Ballroom
Tuesday, April 6, Student Union Farnsworth Room
Tuesday, April 20, Student Union Hatch A Ballroom
Tuesday, April 27, Student Recreation Center

Bicycle Congress founder George Knight, a faculty member in the Philosophy Department, said a primary motivation for this year's topic came from census data. While statistics for bicycle commuting in general have risen sharply in Idaho since 2000, the numbers for women indicate they continue to be a small part of the percentage.

"Already under-represented in the total work force, women are disproportionately under-represented among bicycle commuters, and the trend is manifested in cities across the nation," Knight said. "This year's Bicycle Congress will attempt to stimulate conversations about women‚s experiences in bicycle commuting while offering a mentoring program to help women who strive to balance societal roles and transportation choices."

The Community Bicycle Congress at Boise State is a grassroots initiative that aims to encourage individuals learning to commute by bicycle and engage the university and its community in an open forum where local concerns meet global knowledge about alternative transportation.

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