Meet Waymond Smith - avid recreational cyclist, bike commuter and volunteer for youth bike programs. Riding since he was a child, he has been a year round commuter for 15 years. Active in bike touring, he has ridden the  Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) 7 times. as well as numerous recreation rides on the weekends. 

He used to commute to work by bike from Hyde Park to Skokie - a 40 mile round-trip ride, year-round. A real commitment!  Now retired, he volunteers at  Working Bikes and uses his bike to get around town and explore different neighborhoods. Despite some the challenges he has experienced, Waymond's passion for riding is undimmed.

This month, we are adding a new feature to ZappaWheels: Bike Commuter Profiles. The focus is on bike commuters and their stories. We want to share your story, whether you bike to work all the time, one day a year, or use the bike just to get around, 

Today's story is about Chicago resident, Rebecca Resman. ​Her evolution as a rider is a great example of integrating biking through life: first as a commuter, then advocate, and finally champion of family riding.

Rebecca's story starts when she was working full-time. Back then she was an avid bike commuter, riding to work regularly for over a dozen years. She became an advocate for bike safety issues. In 2010, she lead the efforts to create a Crash Support Hotline while she was an employee of the Active Transportation Alliance. ​But then changes started happening. 

Last night I attended the inaugural kick-off of Stories on the Move. Sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA), the event was part whimsy, part inspiration and whole lot of fun. Over 50 people packed the house at Township bar on N.California Avenue in Logan Square, many of whom arrived via bike. 

A sort of two-wheeled version of NPR's Moth Radio Hour, the event included invited speakers as well as several brave individuals from the audience who shared their personal bike experiences. The stories were amazing and entertaining. You couldn't make up the adventures they shared. 

Earlier this year, I provided an overview of Pedal to the People - the mobile bike shop in Chicago that comes to you to provide repairs and support. Founder Adam Clark is now hoping to expand his operation and is working with Kiva Microfunds to finance that growth.

​You may have heard of Kiva for their work in micro-financing to individuals and entrepreneurs in third-world countries. This story however is an example of using the same approach in the heart of Chicago. 

Recently, I met with Jen Quinlan who leads marketing efforts for the gesture recognition startup Rithmio. While Jen commutes by train to Chicago,  she rides frequently when at home in Champaign, IL. Her "wheels" for getting around are most unusual -- a tricycle!