This sponsored guest post comes from Katie Bohri, the Co-Founding Editor of SPOKE magazine.
In the last half-decade, Philadelphia saw its number of cyclists more than triple, a good sign for the greenest alternative to the car. However, a lack of focused reporting about cycling in our city persists. Enter SPOKE magazine, a new print quarterly dedicated to Philadelphia’s bike politics, infrastructure and culture.
[Image on behalf of Malix Media, from SPOKE magazine’s Indiegogo campaign video]
What is SPOKE Magazine?
SPOKE magazine will serve as a platform to talk about all things bike related, as well as open the conversation to many different kinds of cyclists – including those who may hesitate to get on a bike.
[SPOKE magazine sticker design]Volume One will feature in-depth stories on, for instance, how local traffic laws affect everyday cyclists, how Philadelphians handle bike theft, the lack of decent women’s cycling commuter wear, and interviews with three people who make a living atop a bike seat. It will feature work from local journalists, photographers and illustrators, and it will be available for free at coffee shops, bars and bike-friendly businesses across the city.
Starting a print magazine in 2014 may raise some eyebrows, but we are dedicated to a real, hold-it-in-your hands publication that will reach the widest possible readership. For those curious about what the magazine will look like when it hits shelves next month, This Old City previewed of one of our stories, written by founding editor Alex Vuocolo.
SPOKE Magazine Indiegogo Campaign
Although the magazine will be free, printing its premiere issue will cost our all-volunteer staff money. To pay for costs of publication, we launched a recently-featured-in-GPBIndiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which hit 69 percent funding on Tuesday. With just 10 days left, we are in the home stretch. If you ride a bike in Philadelphia or care about local journalism, please consider donating and picking up one of several perks as a thank-you gift.
Perks for supporting SPOKE include a sustainability double-whammy: If you donate at the $10 level, Solar States will match that by contributing $10 to the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia’s solar energy initiative. Or for $15, grab a ticket to attend our release party on January 30. Check out our Indiegogo campaign page to see other great perks (scarves, haircuts and more) we have in store.
On behalf of SPOKE magazine, I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for the magazine’s debut at your local coffee shop and keep riding.
[Image by Malix Media, from SPOKE magazine’s Indiegogo campaign video]
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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher
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