Ainsley Judge ’11 turned a passion for biking into an honors project and now a trip around the Great Lakes that will raise money for a youth-led non-profit for Grand Aspirations, a non-profit that helps youth leaders create initiatives that integrate energy solutions, economic security, and social justice. Her story begins with Macalester’s Bikeshare program.
Judge was the coordinator for Macalester’s Bikeshare program and saw that program move from the Info Desk to the library, where students can now check out a bike like they would a book.
“That job is one of the greatest experiences I’ve had at Mac,” Judge says. “It triggered and fueled a passion for bicycling that is now personal, academic, and part of my post-grad plans.”
She’s not exaggerating. Judge’s honors thesis for her geography major was Designing More Inclusive Streets: The Bicycle, Gender, and Infrastructure. She completed internships at St. Paul Smart Trips and the Sibley Bike Depot, and won the 2010 Donna W. Allen Undergraduate Scholarship, given by the Minnesota Chapter of Advancing Women in Transportation International.
Finally, she’s setting off this summer with four fellow Mac alumni on a trip around the Great Lakes—on two wheels, of course.
The group, Solidago Riders, will begin its trip on July 29. In addition to raising funds for Grand Aspirations, they plan to document sustainability efforts, learn about ecological awareness and celebrate Great Lakes communities.
You can follow their progress at http://solidagoriders.com/.
July 5 2011
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