This summer, intrepid cyclist and award-winning storyteller Laura Killingbeck will ride over 1,000 miles across Michigan to advocate for women’s safety and autonomy, documenting the journey through writing and interviews. Learn more here…

Laura Killingbeck’s upcoming Choose the Bear Tour was inspired by her widely shared essay, A Woman Who Left Society to Live with Bears Weighs in on Man or Bear, which was published here on the site unpacked the viral social media debate where women said they’d rather encounter a bear in the woods than a man. One of our most-read pieces in 2024, it explored the emotional and cultural roots of gender-based violence and called for more compassionate, nuanced conversations about safety and agency, ultimately taking home the top spot for Best Writing in our 2024 Bikepacking Awards.

  • Laura Killingbeck, Man or Bear
  • Laura Killingbeck, Man or Bear

“People often ask if I’m afraid to bike or camp alone because I’m female,” said Killingbeck. “This question shows how normalized gender-based violence really is—people expect that women who travel independently might be threatened, harassed, or assaulted by men. The Choose the Bear Tour explores those fears and realities, looks at root causes, and advocates for real-world change.”

Choose the Bear Tour

The eight-week Choose the Bear Tour is supported by Michigan’s orsa credit union, a partnership rooted in a hard truth: gender-based violence is often enforced through financial control. Research shows that nearly 99% of intimate partner violence survivors experience some form of economic abuse, undermining their ability to leave the relationship and build a safer future for themselves and their families. Laura’s ride will begin in the Upper Peninsula on May 20 and end in Detroit on July 20. At the end of her ride, she’ll donate her Kona Sutra LTD, which was provided by Kona, to another woman preparing for her own life-changing journey.

You can follow Laura’s ride on Instagram, Facebook, or via her newsletter.

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