We've just added some new things to our array of November x A11y gear for the fall, so it's a good time to finish off our questions with WTF Bike Explorers.
And doesn't Mike look very handsome in his November long sleeve t-shirt?
What are some things that people can do to make more space for WTF people in their cycling communities?
It’s not just about making space, it’s about making safer spaces. We designed the Guiding Principles to help folks do just this.
Some other ideas; offer your space for an FTW workshop, give priority to communities of people who have generally not been welcome in the space. Donate to organizations who are advocating for more gender inclusivity and racial diversity in the cycling industry. Spend your money with companies who have that priority. Donate to groups who are actively building FTW and/or BIPOC cycling communities.
Tell us about the SJ Brooks Scholarships - who are they named for. What kind of adventures and actions will the scholarships enable?
SJ was an experienced cyclist in our community. A community organizer, beloved by many, SJ was the founder of the Seattle chapter of Friends on Bikes, a social cycling group for BIPOC who identify as women, trans, femme, or non-binary. SJ was scheduled to speak about Friends on Bikes as part of the queer people of color panel at the 2018 WTF Bikexplorers Summit. On May 19, 2018, SJ was fatally attacked by a cougar while biking just outside Seattle. SJ’s death was a massive loss to the cycling community. They were a positive light who worked tirelessly to create change. By naming the scholarships after SJ, we hope to honor and pass on their legacy to future bikexplorers.
The 2020 WTF Bikexplorers SJ Brooks Scholarship seeks to increase access to cycling opportunities specifically within Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer and transgender communities by reducing some of the financial and material barriers that are required to pursue a spirited bicycle endeavor. Spirited bicycle endeavors may include overnight or multi-day bike trips, community organizing, or attending a cycling event
You've got the mic, if there's anything you'd like to get across to our audience, what would you like them to know?
Check out our website; https://wtfbikexplorers.com/ to learn more about some of the awesome programs we offer. We have loads of information, resources, and guides for allies and FTW folks.
We also just launched Get Rad Be Radical which is an annual publication that changes the way women, trans, femme, and non-binary people are depicted and represented in the bicycle adventure community. The first issue, It's About Bikes But Not About Bikes, creates a platform where everyone can see and experience what it means to be a FTWN-B person who shreds—featuring 20 contributors focused on themes discussed at the past WTF Bikexplorers Summits from 2018-2019.
All proceeds from the sales on our website go toward future WTF BX programs. If you donate to our organization, those funds are allocated for future scholarships.
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Remember that 100% of net proceeds of A11y merchandise goes to support WTF Bike Explorers. If you know of any other similar organizations doing good work like this, please let us know. We want to lend as much help as we can.
1 comment
As a pair of those queer cyclists who shred (well our knees and elbows anyway, if not the road & trails) my partner and I thank you very much for this program! We are few and very far between in the community so it means a lot. I do find most of this support is abstract though, in person we mostly get creaped on when we venture to cycle outside our community. Just some feedback that things hadn’t changed much since the 80s.