When women ride, women win: Bike Economics fundraiser May 6 to showcase women-owned bike businesses

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." -- Susan B. Anthony, 1896

Featuring and celebrating the role of female entrepreneurs in Portland's burgeoning bicycle economy (to the tune of over $90 million, with Senator Jeff Merkley and Travel Oregon intent on promoting bicycle tourism to boost Oregon's economy) a fundraiser showcasing local, woman-owned, bicycle-oriented businesses will be held Thursday, May 6, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at United Bicycle Institute in Portland.

Designed as a fundraiser for the new Woman Leaders in Active Transportation Fund, Bike Economics hopes to raise $3,000 in seed money for the fund. Co-organizers Ellee Thalheimer, self-employed yoga instructor and masseuse, and Elly Blue, livable streets activist and self employed writer and editor, intend the fund to “provide individual grants to support leadership development and professional training for Portland-area women who are working to improve community livability through non-motorized transportation.”

Over 200 men and women are expected to attend the event, attracting a mix of those interested in bicycling, local entrepreneurs and small business owners, and a general interest in women’s empowerment issues. 20 local women-owned business owners, representing a wide cross section of the bicycle and business communities, will be featured and given the opportunity to speak briefly about their work and inspiration.

The roster of featured presenters includes such well-known Portland names as: Tori Bortman of Gracie’s Wrench; Kendra Wenzel of Wenzel Coaching; Ellee Thalheimer of Ellee’s Yoga and Sweet Choice Bodyworks, LLC; Caroline Paquette of Little Package; Jude Kirstein of Epic Wheelworks; The Cookie Pedalers ; Natalie Ramsland of Sweetpea Bicycles; Martina Fahrner of Clever Cycles; Carye Bye of Red Bat Press ; Rachel Dominguez-Benner of Bike Cozy; Kirsten Kaufman, Bike Realtor; Heidi Swift ; Rebecca Pearcy and Dana Hinger of Queen Bee Creations; Bicycling harpist Halley Weaver; Rachel Freifelder of Handmade Gardens ;Skye Blue of Skye Blue Can Sew; Marilyn Hayward of Coventry Cycle Works; Julie Browning of Breakaway Training; Audrey Block and Carol Farr of The Cycling Salon; and Susan Otcenas of Team Estrogen.

A sliding scale donation at the door of $10 to $30, benefitting the new scholarship fund, includes admission to the event and light food, drinks, and door prizes, courtesy of bike-friendly local companies. For more information, visit http://bikebusiness.wordpress.com/.