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Women Bike!

Whether you never learned to ride or you’re looking to pick up some new bike skills, we’re here for you!

We offer free learn-to-bike workshops to adult women and gender-diverse people. We help build confidence and find joy in riding a bike.

Our free learn-to-ride classes are led by women and are for any Boston resident who identifies as female or gender-diverse. Our experienced staff and volunteers will help each participant gain the skills and confidence to get on a bike and keep on rolling! Bikes and helmets are provided. Registration is required.

2023 Workshop Schedule

We offer classes from April through September. Download our flyer or check out the upcoming events below.

Basic Skills

Taught in a parking lot, this two-hour class is for those who have never learned to ride or who want to work on basic skills. This class is perfect for women who:

  • have never ridden a bike before
  • haven't been on a bike for years, or 
  • can ride a little, but need to practice starting, stopping, turning, and hand signaling.
Offered TWO TO FIVE times per month
  • Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, April 29 at noon
  • Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 8 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, June 10 at noon
  • Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 6 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, July 8 at noon
  • Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 3 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 5 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, August 5 at noon
  • Thursday, August 17 at 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 31 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 16 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, September 30 at noon

Road Readiness

Taught in a parking lot, this 90-minute class will hep you with street-readiness skills. We will learn and practice hand signals, advanced bike handling, changing gears, and defensive riding. This class is perfect for women who:

  • have been through our Basic Skills class
  • are new to riding bikes on City streets, or
  • want more support before exploring biking on-street.
Offered once per month
  • Saturday, May 13 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m.
  • Sunday, July 23 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, August 19 at 10 a.m.
  • Saturday, September 16 at noon
  • Saturday, September 30 at noon

On-street SKILLS

We will lead you on a 90-minute group ride to practice your street skills. The route will include off-street paths, separated bike lanes, and low-stress shared streets. This class is perfect for women who:

  • have completed our Street Skills: Road readiness course
  • are comfortable biking on paths but not sure about riding in the street, or
  • want to build confidence riding on street.
Offered once per month
  • Saturday, May 13 at noon
  • Saturday, June 24 at noon
  • Sunday, July 23 at noon
  • Saturday, August 19 at noon

Upcoming workshops

Workshop Locations

Locations

Our classes at Boston Water and Sewer Commission are in one of the Commission's parking lots.

Four bus routes serve this location:

  • Route 1 (Harvard / Nubian): The closest stops are at Melnea Cass Boulevard at Harrison Avenue.
  • Route 47 (Broadway / Central Sq):  The closest stops are at Harrison Avenue at Melnea Cass Boulevard.
  • Route 8 (Harbor Point / Kenmore Sq): If on the bus heading toward Harbor Point, use the Washington Street @ Lenox Street bus stop. If on the bus heading toward Kenmore Square, use the stop at Harrison Avenue @ E. Lenox Street.
  • Silver Line 4 (Nubian Sq / South Station) or Silver Line 5 (Nubian Sq / Downtown):  The closest stops are at Washington Street at Lenox Street.

On-street parking in this area is mostly limited to those with residential permit parking stickers. Parking will not be allowed in any of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission parking lots.

At Franklin Park, our classes are in the basketball courts in the Playstead.

Nearby bus stops are a 5- to 10-minute walk from the basketball courts. The closest bus lines to Franklin Park Playstead Rd’s Basketball Courts are:

  • Route 22 (Ashmont / Ruggles): The closest bus stops are at Seaver Street at Humboldt Avenue.
  • Route 29 (Mattapan via Franklin Field / Jackson Sq via Franklin Field): The closest bus stops are at Seaver Street at Humboldt Avenue.
  • Route 44 (Ruggles / Jackson Sq): The closest bus stops are at Seaver Street at Humboldt Avenue.
  • Route 16 (Forest Hills / McCormack, Andrew, or Harbor Point via South Bay Center): The closest bus stops are at Circuit Drive at Glen Lane.

There are multiple parking lots in Franklin Park. The nearest parking lot is the the Rear Parking Lot at the Franklin Park Zoo.

map to franklin park playstead baksetball courts

Our classes are held in the parking lot, at the very end of Hebron Street.

The only bus that serves this site is the Route 30. The nearest stops are an 8- to 10-minute walk from the Mattahunt School.

  • Route 30 (Forest Hills / Mattapan Station): If on the bus heading toward Forest Hills, the closest stop is Cummins Highway at Livermore Street. If on the bus toward Mattapan Station, the closest stop is Cummins Highway at Wood Avenue.

Limited on-street parking is available on nearby streets. Because we use the parking lot for classes, do not plan to park at the Mattahunt School.

Our classes take place in the parking lot and play area at the McKay School.

The McKay K-8 Schools is served by the Blue Line and the Route 120 bus.

  • The Maverick T station is a 7- to 8- minute walk from the McKay K-8 School.
  • Route 120 (Maverick / Via Jeffries Point): The closest bus stop is Maverick Street at Cottage Street. It is a 1- to 2-minute walk to the school.

On-street parking in this area is mostly limited to those with residential permit parking stickers. Because we hold our classes in the parking lot, do not plan to park at the McKay K-8 School.

map depicting walking route from Maverick T Stop to McKay School parking lot

Our classes are on the newly reopened City Hall Plaza, along Cambridge Street.

Boston City Hall is well-served by many train and bus routes.

  • Blue Line: The nearest station is Government Center. When you leave the station house, you will be on City Hall Plaza.
  • Green Line: The nearest station is Government Center, which is served by all branches of the Green Line. When you leave the station house, you will be on City Hall Plaza.
  • Orange Line: The nearest stations are State Street and Haymarket. Either station is a three-minute walk to City Hall Plaza.
  • Red Line: The nearest stations are at Park Street and Downtown Crossing. Either station is a 10- to 12-minute walk to City Hall.

The limited on-street parking in the area is metered, with a limit of 2 hours. Off-street parking garages open to the public can be found on Cambridge Street (Centre Plaza Garage) or on Congress Street (Haymarket Garage). 

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