Pedal Together Pilot Program
Pedal Together is a first-of-its kind pilot program at Stanford to engage current and potential bicycle enthusiasts and to help you achieve your biking aspirations.
This program is tailored to meet your needs. Whatever your skill level, whether you are confident or a little hesitant, this program is about supporting you in taking the next step in your cycling journey, whatever that is for you.
We are here to help you! We want participants to:
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Feel that their time is valued.
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Feel inspired and excited about the Pedal Together program.
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Feel encouraged to give Pedal Together a try.
Key resources for participants
- Free, bike webinars
- Our webinars have wrapped for now. We will announce more once they are available.
- Did you miss a webinar? We've also recorded and posted them on our Past Bike Webinars webpage.
- Listen and Learn Powerpoint Presentation (March 24)
- At this session we provided a preview of the pilot program, answered questions, and listened to feedback of participants.
- Pedal Together Tasks - Tracking Form
- We are all in this together. You can fill out the tasks you’ve completed to feel inspired and to inspire others too!
- Bike Resources Under COVID-19
Questions? We have compiled Frequently Asked Questions you may have below.
You can also email Ariadne Delon Scott, our assistant director of active mobility, at adscott@stanford.edu.
Pedal Together frequently asked questions
What is Pedal Together?
Pedal Together is a first-of-its kind pilot program at Stanford to engage current and potential bicycle enthusiasts and to help them achieve their biking aspirations. Pedal Together was created to provide additional opportunities for bicycle enthusiasts who participated in the 2020 Lunchtime Webinar series to learn and grow together.
One of the ways we’ll do that is by tailoring the program to meet your needs. Whatever your skill level, whether you are confident or a little hesitant, this program is about supporting you in taking the next step, whatever that is for you.
We started by asking you to fill out a survey in November or January to gain an understanding of where you’re starting out, what you hope to gain, what is standing in your way, and what you hope to see us do or offer. That helped us develop a program designed with you in mind. Thank you for taking that first step!
How did the idea get started?
Stanford faculty, staff, and students participated in the 2020 Lunchtime Webinar series in large numbers, and we heard loud and clear that there is enthusiasm for cycling among the Stanford community, even amidst all of the challenges of this past year.
We were excited to see the enthusiasm of webinar participants and wanted to offer additional opportunities to learn and grow together and to cultivate a community around cycling at Stanford.
What did we hear from our webinar participants?
We asked you to tell us where you are in your biking journey and heard that, together, you represent the whole spectrum: from avid cyclists to those thinking about starting to ride.
Regardless of experience level, we all have a lot to offer one another, and that support is needed: Over 30% of respondents from every level said that a lack of support, such as an encouraging community, is a barrier hindering you from meeting your riding goals.
What are our next steps?
We are here to support your cycling needs. Over the next three months—April, May, and June, we can help you identify a goal or aspiration, and talk about taking tiny steps to move toward where you want to be in your cycling journey.
Each month we will be sending you a personalized message with options to participate in a webinar, one-on-one mentoring session, or other resources that may be relevant to you. It’s up to you to select a task or you can create your own. Looking to run some ideas by us? Contact Ariadne Delon Scott at adscott@stanford.edu.
What is the purpose of the Slack channel? What if I've never used Slack?
The Pedal Together Slack channel will be used to engage with other participants in the program and to help create a community of bicyclists. Participation on Slack is optional, but it is a great way to connect with and learn from others—or share your knowledge and experiences.
If you have questions about how to use Slack, please reach out to Ariadne at adscott@stanford.edu for help. You can also consult Stanford University IT’s Slack resources webpage to help you get started.
I'm interested in communicating with fellow bike enthusiasts. How do I join the Slack channel?
Since the Pedal Together pilot program was designed for those who previously engaged with us through our webinars, the Pedal Together Slack channel is by invitation only. We sent invites through Slack to the Pedal Together channel on Wednesday, April 1. If you did not receive an invite, please contact Ariadne at adscott@stanford.edu.
What if I miss one of the scheduled webinars?
Don’t worry! We recorded the webinars and will continue to upload them as they become available.
What if I have an idea of a webinar topic?
We love feedback and want to create a fun, vibrant, and supportive community, so please let us know your ideas for future topics.
Will in-person bike workshops be offered?
Currently, we are not offering in-person bike workshops, as we are focused on virtual resources in keeping with COVID-19 safety. After the restrictions are lifted, we anticipate returning to in-person and hands on training, but the timing has not yet been determined.
In the meantime, we are currently offering free webinars twice a month and can answer questions and provide resources, including videos, to try to meet your needs. If you missed a webinar, we have also posted recordings on our website so you can watch them anytime.
Another option is consulting the following helpful lessons on bike repair:
What if I can’t commit fully to Pedal Together?
We welcome your participation to the extent you are able to engage with the program. If you find you are no longer able to participate, feel free to let us know, and we will stop sending updates to you.
Is there a tool I can use to figure out how long my bike commute will take?
Here are some options to help you figure out the length of your bike commute and the best route to take:
- Contact Ariadne at adscott@stanford.edu for a one-on-one session on how to map a bike route.
- Sign up for our How to Map Your Bike Commute webinar on June 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- Other options proposed by fellow Pedal Together participants are using Komoot, Strava, or Google Maps to help you plan your bike commute.
Keep in mind that when planning your bike commute, another option might be to take public transit and then bike from the Caltrain station.
Third-party websites and services are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by Stanford Transportation and may contain or feature references (including without limitation links to other websites or applications) that are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by Stanford Transportation. Third-party references and links are provided solely as a courtesy and convenience to you and do not constitute sponsorship, endorsement, or recommendation by us or other affiliation with us. We specifically disclaim any and all liability from damages that may result from the accessing or use of any other third-party websites or third-party software applications.
Do I need to wear a mask when riding my bike?
We defer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guidelines about wearing a mask when riding a bike.
As of 4/2/2021, the CDC recommends the following:
Wear masks.
- Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth at all times in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household.
- Even if you do not expect to have close contact (within 6 feet or about 2 arm lengths) with other people during your trip, carry a mask so you are prepared.
- If you are able to wear a mask during vigorous biking or other activities, remove your mask if it gets moist from sweat and replace it with a clean mask. If you need to remove your mask to breathe sufficiently, and whenever breathing heavily, it is especially important to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others.
Please refer to the CDC guidelines for current recommendations.
Whom can I contact if I have questions, comments, or suggestions?
Please contact Ariadne Delon Scott, our assistant director of active mobility at adscott@stanford.edu.