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I am a woman over 50 who lives in an area of Oakland where it is unsafe to ride one's bike. I decided to start this club to get folks out into areas of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, especially South of High Street on bikes. I am not necessarily encouraging people to ride down International Blvd. alone, though I have on many occasions. Oakland is not a bicycle friendly town. Just look at the recent repaving of San Leandro Street. It would have been a great time to shift the two lane traffic to one and add bike lanes. No one can ride down International, it is too narrow. 

Bancroft Avenue is the only street with bike lanes and it is too far north, we won’t even mention MacArthur Blvd.  International or E-14th Street is the location of many drive-by shootings; however, there are lovely Bay Trails seconds away—one easy to reach one is at 66th Avenue and Zone Way, just past the Coliseum BART. Getting to Zone Way from 66th Avenue is treacherous, to say the least. One can get hit by a vehicle while waiting for the light to change. I have been. Lucky for me it was my bike that was hit and the driver, making a right turn on a red light didn’t even stop after he hit my bike—he just looked at me and kept rolling.

Hegenberger isn’t any better as a street to ride up to get to the Bay Trail –cars speed up as they pass me and then at the freeway entrances, one cannot see the cars approaching from below, so technically one could get run over in the crosswalks the way they are situated. I always cross diagonally so the drivers can see me.This entrance to the Bay Trail is again on Hegenberger just before Doolittle.

Once on the Bay Trail one doesn't have to worry about car emissions or traffic and the Bay Trail seamlessly connects one to Alameda and San Leandro. Many folks who live in the 'hood don't even know about this treasure. Just the other day, I learned of a new entrance to the Bay Trail connecting Alameda and Oakland to San Leandro by way of (for me) Bay Farm Island. I usually cross the Blue Bridge, this time I went across the wooden pedestrian bridge (below the blue bridge connecting Alameda to the mainland) and voila, what a pleasant surprise!

There were miles and miles of trail along the San Francisco Bay. Across the liquid tapestry I could see South Shore Shopping Center. Ramadan Rides is a effort, a movement to take back our public spaces, after all, despite the crashing economy and higher taxes for those of us who bought into the American Dream and own property, which, in my case, depreciated, $300,000, one can't bask in despair--life does go on. We should look at the weed as a prime example of dogged determination. Can't kill 'em, can't uproot 'em, can't even cover 'em--they just keep pushing through the most enormous and gargantuan challenges (smile).

I live across the street from junk collectors who have a fleet of 7 vehicles, which take up all the space in front of most of our houses. The slum lord's last tenant was a drug dealer who was shot and killed just a block away. On my street, cars speed by, hit my car which I am liable for, kill a neighbor's pet dog, injure another. These cars, trucks, motorcyclists speed until they reach the intersection where they slow down, because there are speed bumps for the second half of the long block. It is crazy! I report these problems to my council person who refers me to her staff and to police services, but nothing happens--absolutely nothing from the diesel trucks in a residential neighborhood to these inconsiderate neighbors to the dangerous motorists. I ride for sanity, I ride to stay calm, but riding alone is not safe--I have been harassed. I have fallen badly on ill maintained streets, so I said to myself--why not start a club for women, for Muslims, for riders 30-80 years old. Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting is a time for reflection and introspection. It has been a fun journey so far.

The first ride, when the club was in its brainstorm form was August 7, 2011. It was the weekend The Brotherhood of Cyclists was in town for a large conference. I felt left out of their loop completely, so I drove to Union City to ride with a friend. The two of us rode the trails, kind of rocky, dusty, not necessarily the kind of terrain I prefer. Afterwards I rode the Bay Trail by the house as I still had a bit of energy left to burn (smile). It is my hope that the club can grow from two on two women riders to at least ten people in the next two weeks. I'd like at least half to be women 50 years old and over.

To join send us your contact information: ramadanridesrides4everybody@gmail.com Tell us something about yourself, demographics, talents or skills, and why you think this is the club for you. We will have a proper application soon.