Rebecca Resman | Sales & Partnerships Manager at Po Campo
At Po Campo, being women-owned and women-run is at the heart of everything we do. Our team is made up of passionate individuals who bring their unique talents and perspectives to each step of the journey. These aren't your average bike bags because they’re made by people who are anything but average.
Today, we’re excited to spotlight one of our incredible team members who helps bring our vision to life every day; Rebecca Resman, Sales and Partnership Manager at Po Campo.
Q: Hi Rebecca! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I live in Chicago with my husband and two kids, ages 9 and 11. I’m a huge soccer fan too - Go Chicago Red Stars! One of my favorite things to do to relax is play the guitar or ukulele on my front porch. I also founded the grassroots organization, Chicago Family Biking over 10 years ago and have personally led 100’s of community bike rides.
Q: How long have you been with the Po Campo team and what do you enjoy most about working here?
A: I officially joined the team in early 2022, but have been a part of Po Campo’s story since the beginning when Maria (Po Campo founder) came into the bike advocacy organization I worked for, looking for feedback on Po Campo’s first handlebar bag.
I’ve always appreciated how collaborative our team is here, not just internally, but also externally with the riders that depend on us to make quality solutions for real problems.
Q: Being an avid bike rider, what age did you start riding? Was it a hobby growing up or something you picked up in your adult years?
A: As a kid, biking was freedom. I grew up in the days where you left your house in the morning, found the pile of bikes where your friends were and then rolled around the neighborhood until the street lights came on.
Q: Did you bike to school growing up?
A: I started biking to school in middle school. At least two times a week my bike rack would come loose and my trumpet would fall off, usually down a giant hill. My dad was a “fix it at home” type, but if we had a local bike shop, I think that problem would have been solved before I destroyed my trumpet!
Q: And in addition to your advocacy work, how else does bike riding fit into your life now?
A: Biking has been my main and preferred form of transportation since 2004. Oh my gosh - that’s 20 years…
Q: Why do you choose biking over other forms of transport?
A: I love how interactive biking is. Talking to pedestrians, other cyclists and seeing my community in such an accessible way makes me feel connected to my neighbors. I also lead the bike bus at our school in Chicago and love the joyful chaos of rolling in 90 people deep to school.
Q: Do you have a favorite style of riding?
A: Cargo bike riding with small kids! We have had a bucket bike that each of my kids has ridden in since they were 6 weeks old. We had so many bike adventures in the early years and it was so fun seeing the world through their eyes. They ride their own bikes now, and that’s also fun, but they are less enthusiastic about blasting moana songs from the speaker.
Q: What’s been your biggest hurdle to overcome when it comes to bike riding and how did you overcome it?
A: The biggest challenge I face is identifying efficient routes when so many streets don’t have sufficient bike infrastructure. This is especially problematic when riding with children that ride independently. I’ve been super involved in the bike advocacy scene in Chicago, even founding Chicago Family Biking, a grassroots group of parents and other stakeholders for safe streets. I’m proud of the vast improvements we’ve seen over the past 20 years, but we still have a long way to go to achieve safe streets for all.
Q: What are your must-haves for bike gear?
A:
- A loud bell for saying “hello” or “I’M HERE!”
- Something to hold your essentials on the handlebar where you can reach them. My current go-to is the Crescent Bike Basket because it holds my phone, coffee and even a small purse.
- Bike lights if you ride at night.
- A lightweight jacket that cuts out the wind - I love my Cleverhood Anorak!
Q: What’s your favorite Po Campo bag and why?
A: My Bedford Backpack Pannier is my absolute favorite Po Campo bag! It’s so feature rich and versatile. It’s deceptively spacious with lots of organizational pockets. I love that it goes on the bike rack with an easy satisfying ‘click’, but is also a super stylish and comfortable backpack that can hold my helmet.
Q: And lastly, being an experienced bike rider, if you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to bike more and drive less, what would it be?
A: Lean on the bike community to help you with any challenges or questions you may have. Whether it’s finding a route, a bike shop or a social ride, local bike communities can be incredibly supportive, especially when welcoming new riders to the bike lane. You can also count on that community to show up when it’s time to demand better from our elected officials.
Well, Rebecca, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with us. Your passion for biking and bike advocacy is admirable and I’m sure the bikers of Chicago are glad to have you backing them!
We want to hear from you!
We’re so grateful to have such a vibrant community supporting us every step of the way and we want to give you the spotlight! If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that everyone has a unique story behind their biking journey and we believe that sharing is the best way to encourage and educate others as they navigate their own journey through bike riding and life. If you have a story you’d like to share with us, please email press@pocampo.com.
