Gear Femmes is Bike New York’s education initiative for women/trans/femme cyclists. Through bike education classes, specialized instruction, and community events, aspiring commuters develop their bike commuting skills with support from the Gear Femmes community. Gear Femmes also matches aspiring bike commuters with mentors who will literally show them the way—with techniques and route selection, making riding to work as fun as it is productive.
Bike Camp is a free program for women/trans/femme cyclists (18 years old and up) who want to tune up their riding skills and explore our city’s streets through the joy and freedom of biking. Over four weeks, students will work on their bike handling and streets skills in a supportive group setting guided by our trained Gear Femmes instructors. This is the perfect program for someone who already knows how to ride a bike but wants to take their bike life to the next level. We encourage participants to complete all four weeks of Bike Camp. Gear Femmes Bike Camps will take place at our Community Bike Education Centers around the city—see the 2020 schedule below.
Bike Camp is open to anyone identifying as women/trans/femme. Prior participation in the Gear Femmes program is not required. Loaner bikes and helmets are available onsite, but you’re welcome to bring your own, too. Please be advised that your instructor will inspect your equipment to assure it meets safety standards.
2021 SCHEDULE
CLASS OVERVIEW
Gear Femmes Bike Skills 101: Learn to Ride is a free class for for women/trans/femme adults and mature teens who are ready to ride. Doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 80, we’ll get you rolling in no time.
With our safe, easy, effective method, Learn to Ride students learn how to balance, pedal, start, stop, and steer a bike, as well as adjust a helmet for proper fit. Most people learn to ride in one session, but even if you don’t, you’ll leave equipped with an easy, low-stress way to teach yourself—or you can join us for another free class!
Questions? Please see our FAQ section below. If your question isn’t answered there, you can email us at classes@bike.nyc.
Class Duration: 2 hours
Class Location: Traffic-free Community Bicycle Education Center
Class Size: 10 adults and mature teens
Instructors: 1 trained instructor
Equipment: Bicycles and helmets provided to those who register online for the class.*
Registration policy: Advance registration is preferred; walk-up students are accepted as space allows.
*Anyone who chooses to bring their own bicycle must ensure that the bicycle fits and is in good working order (i.e., wheels spin freely, brakes function).
BEING A MENTEE
Every mentee starts by attending a Gear Femmes Bike Camp. Then Bike New York will do its best to match mentees with mentors who are seasoned commuters and make a similar trip. For example, if a mentee lives in western Queens and works in Midtown at 9:00 AM, they would be matched with someone who travels over the Queensboro Bridge and through Midtown on their way to work. It is then up to the mentor and mentee to work out a schedule for companion rides that work with both of their schedules.
BEING A MENTOR
In addition to a short orientation on how best to pass on your experience and skills, we strongly recommend that mentors also take our Street Skills 301: Rules of the Road class and Street Skills 302: On-Street Riding. There’s always more to learn when it comes to cycling law and technique (seriously, we could talk about lane placement for hours!). From there, you will be matched with a mentee, work out a schedule that works for both of you, and then you’re off! The hope is that you and your mentee will ride together twice a week for six weeks, which should be long enough for them to be able to establish a regular bike commute practice.
Syllabus
COFFEE CLUBS!
Gear Femmes Coffee Clubs are oppurtunities for women/trans/femme bike commuters to come together on their way to or from their daily grind and enjoy morning beverages, pleasantries, and to meet other local riders. If you’re curious about the Gear Femmes program, Coffee Clubs are a great time to learn more. Join us!
CALENDAR
Check back soon for upcoming Coffee Clubs!
FAQ
What is Gear Femmes?
Gear Femmes is Bike New York’s education initiative for women/trans/femme to develop their city riding through a combination of classes, commuting, and community. Inspired by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association Roll Models program, Gear Femmes will match aspiring bike commuters with mentors who will show them the roads and techniques, making riding to work as fun as it is productive.
This is great! Commuting to work is one of my goals. What is involved with being a mentee?
First, every mentee starts by attending a Gear Femmes specific Bike Commuting 101 Class, Street Skills Class, and Street Skills Ride to learn the fundamentals of bike commuting and put this knowledge into action. After successfully completing both components, Bike New York will do its best to match mentees with mentors who are seasoned commuters and make a similar trip. For example, if a mentee lives in western Queens and works in Midtown at 9:00 AM, they would match with someone who travels over the Queensboro Bridge and through Midtown on their way to work. It is then up to the mentor and mentee to work out a schedule for companion rides that work with both of their schedules. The hope is that you’ll ride together at least once a week for three months.
I already commute to work and I want to share my bike joy. What is entailed with becoming a mentor?
In addition to a short orientation on how best to pass on your experience and skills, we strongly recommend that mentors also take our Street Skills Class and Ride. There’s always more to learn when it comes to cycling law and technique (seriously, we could talk about lane placement for hours!). From there, you will be matched with a mentee, work out a schedule that works for both of you, and you’re off! The hope is that you and your mentee will ride together twice a week for six weeks, which should be long enough for them to be able to establish a regular bike commute practice.
I love the idea of all these classes to get me ready for the city streets, but how much does this programming cost?
Nothing. Zero dollars. All Bike New York education programs, including Gear Femmes, are free!
I have an idea, a question, a Coffee Club cafe recommendation, a sponsor inquiry, or bike life bochinche.
Awesome! Please reach out to classes@bike.nyc.