In honor of Women’s History Month* we want to take some time to celebrate some women in Pittsburgh that have made an impact on our vibrant cycling culture and community.  In Part 3 of this 4 part series we will introduce you to cycling educators who are creating spaces to learn how to ride safely and building confidence in cyclists of all ages and abilities.

*BikePGH recognizes all feminine identifying people as women, and acknowledges that gender is not a binary. For more information on gender identity please take a look at our Gender Matters guide.

Carley Young

1. What inspired you to get involved with cycling?
   I started riding a bicycle around 4 and instantly loved the independence it brought to my life. At age 6, I visited my first BMX track in Philadelphia called Bensalem Raceway. I won my first race and have been racing bikes ever since.
   
   
2. How long have you been cycling?
   I’ve been racing BMX for 34 years. I raced professionally for 15 of those years.

3. Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?
   I love riding indoors at The Wheel Mill, it has something for everyone. When I can ride outside you will catch me at Westmoreland BMX track in Apollo PA.

4. What advice would you give to new riders or someone interested in getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh?
   Cycling brings so much joy to your life, don’t miss a moment to go out for a pedal. Being outside your bicycle can take you to such amazing places. You can see the city in a whole new way and the community you meet along the way is so inspiring.

Karen Brooks

(she/her)
Bicycle Consultant for Carnegie Mellon University
Mountain Bike Skills Instructor, The Wheel Mill
Licensed Cycling Instructor (LCI)
Board Member, BikePGH
Former Editor of Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times magazines

1. What inspired you to get involved with cycling?
   When I started getting into mountain biking, my heroes were professional racers, and it was amazing to watch what they could do. Still is! But what really inspires me is seeing regular people discover biking, get comfortable with riding, and start changing their lives — and of course having a good time.
   
   
2. How long have you been cycling?
   I rode around a lot as a kid, and tried a few times to ride for transportation in the country/suburbs where I grew up in West Virginia (which was challenging because of the narrow country roads). But I really got into mountain biking and commuting (all on the same bike) in college about 30 years ago..

3. Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?
   Frick Park is an easy answer! But I also enjoy rides that take me to out-of-the-way, woodsy, sometimes off-road, secret gems around the city. I also enjoy (with a grimace) some of the the absurdly steep climbs that lead to amazing vistas. A laid-back favorite is the Eliza Furnace Trail to the Point and then back via the South Side trail and Hot Metal Bridge.

4. What advice would you give to new riders or someone interested in getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh?
   First stop: right here on the Bike Pittsburgh website! There is so much good advice and many resources, including the Bike Map. From there, we have so many groups, shops, spots, etc. to recommend based on interests.
   
   Also, many newer riders are intimidated by Pittsburgh’s reputation for steep hills and cold weather, but neither need be a big problem. Dress well (wool is your friend), learn how to plan a route that isn’t more hilly than you want to deal with, and it will get easier and more fun with practice. 

Robin L. Woods

(she/her)
Owner Women At Work Bicycling Club, LLC
Licensed Certified Instructor (LCI)
Board member of The Western Pennsylvania Bicycle Club
Former Board Member of Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club and Friends of the Riverfront
Volunteer for Rails-To-Trails (RTC), Tree Pittsburgh, Friends of Riverview Park, Bike Pittsburgh, Friends of the Riverfront, Babes on Bikes and Meet-Up.

1. What inspired you to get involved with cycling?
   I was re-introduced to cycling as an adult by my brother.
   
   
2. How long have you been cycling?
   As an adult cyclist, since 2002.
   
   
3. Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?
   I actually have two favorite places along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail where I get the best picturesque view of the Ohio River at the Western Penitentiary location and the Monongahela River in Baldwin.
   
   
4. What advice would you give to new riders or someone interested in getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh?
   To obtain the best bicycling experience in Pittsburgh one should know the rules of the road/trail, proper bicycling etiquette and lastly, have a clear understanding of how to use your gears.
   
   >> Learn more about Robin L. Woods

Sally Sherman

(she/her)
Professor of Exercise Science at the University of Pittsburgh
Co-Founder and Coach, Full Psych Adventure Team
Volunteer Yoga Instructor at various regional cycling events – I am passionate about teaching cyclists how to incorporate simple yoga techniques to improve their control, concentration, and mobility on the bike.

1. What inspired you to get involved with cycling?
   I grew up in a very rural area. My dad bought me a mountain bike as a kid and we would go out for long days together. Sometimes we would get lost or be gone too long and my mom would need to come get us. I loved getting lost with him.
   
   
2. How long have you been cycling?
   I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t riding. Although most of us learned on training wheels, I think we can all agree that Strider bikes are a far better way to learn. Balance bikes have been a great evolution in children learning to ride bikes properly. My riding has been revitalized as my child, Lorelei came along and started shredding with me. Parenting has made me fall in love with biking more deeply as we explore the world together on wheels.
   
   
3. Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?
   THE WHEEL MILL! Also, North Park is outside my back door and my family loves to get on the trails and run into cycling friends (and make new ones!) there.
   
   
4. What advice would you give to new riders or someone interested in getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh?
   Get out and attend the events. This is where community is built and friends are made. Bike Pittsburgh has so many incredible events to offer that get you safely into the streets to explore the city on wheels together.
   

Sara Khalil

(she/her)
Director of Operations at Bike Share Pittsburgh, POGOH
Secretary for the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association 
Racer for Pittsburgh Babes on Bikes
Mountain Bike Coach for Venture Outdoors

1. What inspired you to get involved with cycling?
   Cycling is an affordable way to get around town. I continue to ride because it brings me a type of joy that is unmatched.
   
   
2. How long have you been cycling?
   I’ve known how to ride a bike longer than I can remember. I distinctly recall the first bike that I had a lock for – a Mongoose – was purchased for me in elementary school.
   
   
3. Where is your favorite place to ride in Pittsburgh?
   The Allegheny Cemetery. You can get lost, eat a sandwich, and climb hills all in one, mostly car-free area.
   
   
4. What advice would you give to new riders or someone interested in getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh?
   Just start riding. You’ll figure out all the other questions you may have after you get your butt on the bike. My only pro advice is to buy a helmet on Day 1. POGOH is available if you need an affordable solution.

Meet a few more amazing organization leaders from previous BikePGH spotlights:

• Laura Davidson Brienza,  Founder of Cycology, Founder and Coordinator of BikeECS
• Peg Schmidt and Elise Yun, Owners of Peony Women’s Bike Tours
  
  While there are many amazing women on this list, please note that it is not exhaustive of everyone who has made contributions to cycling in Pittsburgh. If you know of someone who should be acknowledged for their efforts, please leave a comment or reach out to catlyn@bikepgh.org.

Get Involved!

If you are a woman or gender variant person who is curious about getting involved with cycling in Pittsburgh, join us our WMNBikePGH Program events! We have monthly group rides, a camping trip, and annual an Summit!

BikePGH’s Women & Non-Binary program was created to break down barriers to bicycling and increase the representation of people who have historically marginalized gender identities. The program is inclusive of trans and cis women, intersex people, non-binary, genderqueer, agender and gender variant folks, as well as those whose gender identity falls outside of the dominant conceptions of gender.

WMNBikePGH aims to connect and empower those who might feel excluded from the male dominant cycling culture with free educational workshops, group rides, and social events in a safe and supportive environment. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable community for people who want to ride bikes.

Be sure to check out the last part of the series next week to meet even more incredible and influential women!