(Above) Cindy Walling with her trusty bike. (Below) Thanks to Hubway, Katy Wetzel is able to ride in Boston without owning her own bike.

Cindy Walling is the consummate bike commuter – it’s the primary mode of transit for her and her kids, ages 11 and 13. Katy Wetzel is a dedicated walk-to-work-er, but is intimidated by Boston drivers. She doesn’t even currently own a bike. But when friend and fellow parent Cindy sent out an email inviting her to join Team Menstrual Cyclists in the Bites and Bikes ride, Katy was quick to sign on.

“I think bike riding should be something people do in the city – getting around either on their feet or on a pedal – anything to make that accessible,” she shared when asked why she’d signed on. “Besides”, she added, “my friends were doing it, it sounded like fun, and it’s for a good cause!” The chefs weren’t unappealing either, she confided.

In fact, when Katy’s told others that she signed up, they asked how they could join. When asked why she decided to lead a team, Cindy shared that it was just so easy. “I sent an email to a bunch of women I know, mostly from my kids’ school – I didn’t even know Katy didn’t have a bike! I just figured I’d put the word out and see who got excited.”

Do you want to host a team? No special skills necessary – and no team is too small! You can invite friends, co-workers, neighbors…team prizes will be available! It’s easy to start a team – you will, however, have to compete with Cindy’s team name. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

Start a team or register yourself now!

Can’t ride? We need a team of excellent volunteers – especially experienced bikers – but there are roles for all skills and folks!

The Get Biking Challenge, which encouraged Boston K-8 students to bike during the month of May, was a great success! Eleven schoolsparticipated, with a total of1,389 students entering into the challenge. These students reported biking a collective 597,760 minutes, which converts into a distance of 79,700 miles – or the equivalent of biking around the Earth’s equator three times!!! In terms of calories, the students burned about 859,810 calories, the equivalent of 6,230 cans of soda.

This was a friendly competition, with schools being ranked based on percent participation and days ridden. The Josiah Quincy Elementary School took first place, earning the Golden Pedal Award and a bike raffle, with Perkins Elementary and Nathan Hale Elementary coming in a respective second and third place.

Check out our blog for more details and pictures. Congratulations to all participants!

Join us on June 26th for the next Bike Friday! Join a convoy of cyclists or pedal over to City Hall Plaza on your own. Bike Friday is your chance to mingle with cyclists from across the Boston area and learn more about Boston-based organizations that love cyclists. As always, food will be provided by Boloco,LARABAR, Iggy’s Bread of the World, and Whole Foods.

Registration is free, but we need to know you’re coming! Register now atbikefridays.org.