During a solo ride from California to Maine, Tessa remembers contemplating the connection between art and biking. Long rides are where she thinks through project ideas and plans big moves. Bike trails are her favorite works-paces.

Much of Tessa’s work focuses on the contextual backstory of biking, particularly regarding gender and social rights. In the 1890s, cycling saw a significant boom in the U.S., and women’s rights were embedded in the political and social activism that showcased biking.

In fact, Frances Willard, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony were all cycling advocates, and their manifestos on women’s suffrage mention bicycles. Early advertising campaigns include many examples that pass the famed Bechdel Test.

This past August, Tessa biked to Montana to present a talk at the inaugural WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) Bikexplorers Summit. Amidst a group of about 120 WTF-identified cyclists, she felt a strong sense of community. She noted that biking as an act of solidarity contributes to individual empowerment and can serve to normalize the activity for WTF-identified and nonbinary people. She sees herself as an ambassador.

When it comes to protected bike lanes, Tessa is all about the user. She feels that design should increase comfort level, not only for the avid biker but for the reluctant one, as well. A healthy streetscape is one that welcomes all who might exist there. 

Not everyone has the same relationship to cycling on city streets. On Thursday, October 25, join us and share your vision for the new protected bike lanes coming to Capitol Hill. The evening will begin with a presentation by Tessa!