The wheels are already in motion for GOBike Buffalo’s fourth season of Sisters Cycling, a series of classes designed by women for women that teaches riding fundamentals, as well as bike safety and maintenance. The grassroots program offers much more than access to skills and equipment, it’s a gateway to independence, empowerment and integration. Cycling provides these women with a sense of autonomy, allowing them to commute independently to work, school, and community programming. The newfound mobility opens doors and improves access to resources that were previously out of reach.

Two local ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers and avid cyclists, Alyssa Wojciechowski and Carolyn Jordan, saw a need for programming geared toward bicycling skills for the refugee and immigrant women in their classroom. 

“Many of the women that we work with have either never worked before, were never allowed to play sports growing up, or came from cultures where the equality that we enjoy in the United States was not their experience,” explained Alyssa of the ESL students she teaches. “We wanted to share our love of riding a bike and all of the possibilities it opens up, whether that’s finding a fun way to exercise with family, commuting to a job, or making new friends.”

Alyssa and Carolyn, both GOBike Buffalo instructors and members, brought their idea forward and the concept was quickly acknowledged as a critical need that would further the organization’s mission and foster connections within a community. 

“We want people to have multiple means of access to all that our region has to offer,” said Adam Ianni, Community Workshop Director, GOBike Buffalo, who recognized that the inclusion of a learn-to-ride program exclusively for women was a natural extension of the work GOBike does in Western New York (WNY).

GOBike Buffalo promotes active mobility, whether that’s putting bikes in the hands of those that want or need them, or participation in the development of trails and complete streets in WNY. Through workshops, educational programming, planning and advocacy, GOBike works to ensure public space belongs to all people and accommodates all types of mobility, from walking and rolling to cycling and transit. 

“We’re stoked to be able to provide our services to a community that otherwise might not have reached out to us, to widen our spread and provide the same joy that Alyssa speaks about to a group of folks who haven’t experienced it before,” said Adam. 

For the 30 or more women who have participated in Sisters Cycling over the past three seasons, the community, mobility and independence gained through the program is lifechanging.

The program creates opportunities for women to join a supportive network that continues to grow organically. 

“New students come in largely through word of mouth, as past participants recruit new women and expand their horizons,” said Alyssa. “It’s a snowball effect, with people bringing their cousin, neighbor, friend or classmates.” 

Sisters Cycling invites participants to attend as many classes as they need to gain the skills necessary to make cycling part of their everyday lives. 

“For some women, it takes four or five classes to really feel comfortable,” explained Alyssa. “While others learn to ride in two classes and then they get to take their bike home because we feel as though they are ready to continue practicing on their own.”

Participants not only acquire practical skills but also find avenues for employment and personal growth. Some graduates of the program have returned as assistant instructors or translators, marking their first job in the United States. This experience helps them build confidence and contribute meaningfully to their communities, demonstrating the ripple effect of empowerment through mobility.

“It’s been a huge joy to watch participants recruit new members and share their experience with their family or cousins or neighbors,” described Alyssa. “It’s also been rewarding to watch our assistants grow into young women and seeing them mature and navigate the expectations of a first job.”

This season, the team plans to train as many assistants as possible to be Smart Cycling Instructors. GOBike’s educational and accrediting programs follow the League of American Cyclists’ Smart Cycling program which is designed to improve skills and build confidence in riders of all ages, and train others to be teachers in their own communities. Adam, Carolyn and Alyssa are all well versed in the curriculum and certified as League Cycling Instructors (LCI).

“The Smart Cycling course is the League’s entry level for folks who know how to ride but want to become a safe and effective cyclist and member of traffic,” described Adam. “We go over rules of the road, who has the right of way, basic traffic concepts and how a cyclist fits into those concepts, and how to respond in certain scenarios.” 

Beyond essential skills and road safety instructions, GOBike breaks down barriers to access by supplying free bikes and safety equipment to all members of Sisters Cycling and other school and community education programs. 

“GOBike provides each participant with a bicycle,” said Adam. “We ensure the bikes are in operable order and meet all the traffic safety requirements, which includes working lights and a helmet. We also supply a lock so they can keep their bike safe.” 

The ongoing commitment to offering free programming and equipment comes at a cost. GOBike, a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit, relies heavily on funding from public and private donors like Rich Products, as well as government grants. In addition, any revenue earned through sales and service at their two community workshops, located at 313 Broadway and 98 Colvin, goes directly back into the program. Volunteers are also essential to GOBike’s success.

“We have a standing volunteer night at our 98 Colvin location, and anyone interested can join us from 5 – 8 pm on Thursdays to help build the bikes that we give to kids,” said Adam, who also noted that volunteers do not need previous experience to participate. 

To support GOBike, monetary donations can be made through the website, via PayPal or in person, and new and used bikes can be gifted at both community workshops. The team encourages donors to have a used bike tuned up before donating. 

To learn more about how GOBike works to build safe streets in Buffalo and put bikes in the hands of those that need them, watch this video.