Thursday, March 21, 2013

Showoffs Wanted!


UPDATE: Are you looking for the latest information about the ABC's of Family Biking, including event schedule and partners? Click here for the most up-to-date ABC's of Family Biking news!

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WE WANT YOU to show off your bike at the second annual ABC's of Family Biking!

Together with WABA and the DDOT Safe Routes to School Program, Kidical Mass DC will once again present the "ABC's of Family Biking," an event to help interested-but-concerned parents learn about the tools and resources available to help them bike with their children. The ABC's of Family Biking will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2013, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the parking lot of the Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan, 215 G Street NE.

As it did last year, the ABC's of Family Biking will feature:

- a show-and-tell by current bicycling parents (that's you!) to share the tips, tricks and tools that enable them to bicycle with their children
- a special class on creating and organizing "biketrains" to help children bike to and from school in supervised groups
- exhibits by local bike shops and dealers demonstrating the range of tools and equipment available for family biking.

PLUS this year, we're going to try something new: a "Swap or Sell" for secondhand kids' bikes and cycling equipment.

What can you do to be a part of this fun event? I'm so glad you asked!

First and most importantly, we need exhibitors for the Show-and-Tell portion of the program, the heart of the ABC's of Family Biking. While we're happy to feature all sorts of biking arrangements and equipment, we would especially like to see at least one of each of the following:

- Front-mounted seat (iBert, Yepp, BOBike Mini)
- Rear-mounted seat (Yepp, Topeak, Peanut Shell etc.)
- Trail-a-bike
- Trailer (Chariot, Burley, Wike)
- Longtail cargo bike (Surly Big Dummy, Xtracycle Free Radical, Xtracycle Radish, Yuba Mundo)
- Bakfiets/boxbike
- Cargo trike
- Independent kids' bike

Did you build your own kids' bike seat (you know who you are!) or make a really cool DIY mod to an existing product? Come and show off your mad skills!

We could also use a few people to help with check-in, setup, and cleanup. Everyone who helps out with the event as a volunteer or Show & Tell demonstrator will receive as a thank-you gift their own copy of "Taking the Lane: Childhood," a collection of meditations on bikes and childhood edited by Portland bike author Elly Blue.

I'm excited to be bringing this event back to DC after last year's great turnout. If you're interested in joining the event as a Show & Tell demonstrator, a business (all bike shops are welcome! We have TABLES this time!), or other type of volunteer, fill out this quick survey so we can make sure there's space for everyone.

Thanks, happy riding, and I look forward to seeing you next month!

Friday, March 15, 2013

ABC's of Family Biking 2013

Yes, friends, the ABC's of Family Biking will return this year!

The event will take place on Sunday, April 28 from 11am to 1pm at the parking lot of Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan (215 G Street NE). Once again, it will be a joint effort between Kidical Mass DC, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and the District Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program.

We are still working on some of the final details, but I can tell you one thing: our motto for this year is BIGGER AND BETTER.

Can't wait to see you there!