The Community Says:
Lover of bicycles, long-time messenger and maker of bicycle-blenders, Lola is an inspiration because of her style and strength. You can spot her riding on DC's trails, to Roosevelt Island, and in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Lola has taught young ones at E.L. Hanes Public Charter School about safe city cycling, including a fieldtrip through Rock Creek Park. Her contributions to cycling in DC are numerous and she inspires young and old cyclists alike throughout.
Inspiration:: "Damn, what doesn't [inspire me]? There's no better way to move you and your stuff. There are very few things we urban humans do that are sustainable, and that we could still do after the apocalypse. But biking is one of them. I love being able to be free to move whenever I want, not waiting around for buses, and to be car free, reducing my personal petrol consumption. When I ride with groups of people, in the city, outnumbering cars, it still gives me that giddy, excited feeling I got when I was a kid, elated and optimistic. Riding bikes always makes me happy, in any weather. I've been proud to be a lady bike messenger in some capacity or another for 7 years here in DC. I love being able to interact with the world around me and the people in it. Today, I was delivering romantic fruit for Edible Arrangements, trailer on the back of my bike. I pulled up to a stoplight, happy that it was such a warm day for February, even if the balloons were getting knotted up in the gusts of wind. This guy in a suit on his bike is next to me told me he was late, didn't get coffee, but how riding woke him up more than caffeine ever would. We talked about how awesome we were for riding, and how more people should try it. That never happens to two strangers that pull up next to each other in cars at stoplights."
"I work to inspire anyone who thinks cycling is too intimidating, scary, or difficult to do use as a form of transportation. I work to inspire the kids I teach to ride safely. I work to inspire other tough ladies to ride and race with messengers. I'm learning how to inspire DC gov/urban planners, as I sit in on DC Bike Advisory Council meetings. I work to inspire people in offices to choose to call a bike messenger!"
Judge's comment: "Lola is an EC because she has made biking an “ordinary” and integral part of life. Biking is one of numerous ways Lola lives sustainability and with an inspirationally small carbon footprint! We should all strive to have the light carbon footprint she has. The young people with whom Lola works will see true consistency between what she says and her actions.... All that pedaling speaks clearly and cleanly."
Judge's comment: "I love what she wrote that inspires her. One of the best things about living in a city is riding a bike around. That she takes her love for bikes and actually tries to pass it along to others is indeed impressive."
