Features

Comments

• Well, I like the article!

  Wow. I think this article is great. ...And for the record, I'm a woman who's worked in construction, landscaping and in the cycling industry, so I don't believe that there's a 'boys club' or any thing like that There is, however, an 'opportunities club' a 'labor gap club', a 'wage gap club' and a few other related 'clubs' that play a part in preventing women from feeling welcome, qualified, accepted, or able to participate in certain areas of our society. And specifically speaking, I think there *are* real world barriers to cycling that women face. Barriers that men do not- certainly some of which are related to expectations, social norms, etc.... but I do think that they are surmountable, regardless of their nature.
  (As for riding in an evening gown- I've found that it's really hard to do and a little bit dangerous.)

  Posted by Gwen April 25, 2012 00:19:39

• tiresome

  agree that this was confusing/annoying/patronizing. a lot of people are nervous about riding, don't want to get dirty on their way to work, or don't think about it because our social norms are not built around it. it is not a "woman" thing. I'd like to feel safe taking my 80-year old dad out for a ride or my 12-year-old nieces. I'd like better bicycle parking around public transportation, as well as access to more trains and buses, and I'd like fewer potholes and better lane markings. none of this is related to my gender.

  Posted by chicago (woman) cyclist April 24, 2012 11:32:06

• Women don't like bikes as much as men do

  There is a gender gap in cycling because women don't like to ride as much as men do. That goes for pretty much everything else that is done disproportionately more by men: they just like it more. Most women I know rarely do anything physical at all. My mom, sister, grandmothers, cousins, etc. rarely hike, bike, run, or do much of anything physical. Even my female friends, some do physical stuff, but most do not. Men are too busy actually doing things to worry about a "boys club" on the street.

  Posted by Justin Doescher April 23, 2012 19:16:18

• ride in an evening gown?

  I have - not to mention in office-appropriate clothing every day for about 8 years - and the thing is, women on bikes get a lot of harassment, which just about doubles if you wear a skirt instead of pants. Just like dressing like a woman on the bus, which also drives women who can afford it off public transit.
  
  If there's no barriers, why the gender gap? Or do the naysayers LIKE having a boys club out on the streets?

  Posted by Rosa April 23, 2012 11:44:11

• Women riding bikes

  Pretty ridiculous article. The article says that women don't ride because of cultural norms dictating what is feminine, but at the same time, women only want to ride their bikes while looking fabulous and fashionable? A bit oxymoronic. No one, male or female, is stopping you from riding a bike, and if you want to ride in a friggin' evening gown, knock yourself out.

  Posted by Justin Doescher April 23, 2012 11:35:05

• cycling jersey

  Vancouver is not typical of all Canadian cities where there may be greater % of women cycling because of better cycling infrastructure as a North American city. Certainly here in Calgary, I visibly see at least larger % of men cycling ...even on a fine summer day after work. (http://www.4ucycling.com/) This city's infrastructure for cycling struggles along to improve.

  Posted by Ericjacke February 15, 2012 17:38:37

• What to do?

  I've heard it all:
  Helmet hair? Not an issue according to my mom's hair.
  Mechanically not inclined? This never stopped anyone from driving a car.
  Fear of traffic? Statistically we cyclists live longer.
  Clothing issues? My friend rode her mountain bike in a skirt and heels.
  
  I think the real issue is not any of the specific issues listed above but rather a general fear and anxiety looking for a rationalization. This fear and resulting paralysis are my biggest frustration. The women around me who don't fear biking are those who've tried it and who have a community of cyclist friends to support them.
  
  Hmm, maybe a girls' bike gang would be a good place to start.

  Posted by Toe January 17, 2012 22:36:18

• Not a special interest group, but still why less women in some cities?

  No, women aren't a special interest group. However it would be very naive to assume that all women are the same, ie. not any different than men in terms of what motivates them to cycling regularily several times per week for many years ahead.
  
  Vancouver is not typical of all Canadian cities where there may be greater % of women cycling because of better cycling infrastructure as a North American city. Certainly here in Calgary, I visibly see at least larger % of men cycling ...even on a fine summer day after work. (I bike commute to work daily on a well-use bike path.) This city's infrastructure for cycling struggles along to improve.
  
  What is lost in the gender specific discussion, is perhaps the number of men who may be uncomfortable to cycle often but choose not to because of also poor cycling infrastructure, lack of safe bike parking, etc. I've had this similar discussion with some men at work where I am.
  

  Posted by Jean October 10, 2011 18:37:41

• PUH-LEEZ

  Not buying any of this. I grew up sorrounded by grils and women riding their bikes to school and work and anywhere else they wanted to go. I refuse to believe there are women who want desperately to ride a bike but don't for any of the above reasons. Like cars aren't more expensive, more dangerous and more complicated to repair?
  All this is marketing hype and the authors and the "magazine" should be ashamed.

  Posted by jen October 07, 2011 10:56:59

• Women aren't a special interest group

  I agree with Maria - I was also puzzled by this article and didn't find it particularly relevant. I also think it is unwise for all sorts of reasons to represent women as a special interest group - to put it simply, if WOMEN are the ones who need the bike lanes, I think it becomes a little difficult politically. Why not focus on getting more PEOPLE on bikes? My bet is that if you had more bike lanes, you would have more cyclists - both men and women.

  Posted by Chris September 21, 2011 14:04:05

• Women for bikes

  Some valid points being made here! My bike fears...flat tires(I know how to change them but the rubber on the new tire is almost impossible to manipulate on to the rim so I'm stranded or walking 2-3km's to the bike shop) wild life(bears and cougars) vehicles(on the highway; some drivers are considerate, many are not)
  Our bike shop is pretty gender friendly and affordable which makes me feel grateful and I'm not too worried about style...however, it would be nice to find 'affordable' cycling clothes!

  Posted by Nikki September 21, 2011 10:49:01

• Women riding bicycles

  I totally agree with Maria. Who's intimidated? And who dictates what anyone needs to wear while riding a bike? There are so many free classes available and information. And bike shops here are very female friendly.

  Posted by chevertoo September 20, 2011 10:29:24

• we are stronger than this

  This article is so confusing/annoying/patronizing! Are women REALLY as fearful as all that? '...the social pressures that can make women feel uncomfortable in a mainstream bike shop' -- ??? Hunh?? 'Cultural norms that dictate what's feminine'? WHO exactly is telling WHICH women what's feminine? The impression given by the writer is that women need special service or attention, in order to use & maintain bicycles! If women in India can navigate motor-scooters in urban traffic, while wearing saris and carrying kids and groceries... I say FREE YOUR MIND, and your wheels will follow!

  Posted by Maria September 20, 2011 07:37:00