Realistic cycling guide for women wanting to bike

[shootingstar]

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/BikeBelles_for_women_who_want_to_cycle_Feb_2010.pdf

I like this guide because it features photos of many different women in all sorts of clothing -- cycling. It does not just shown hand drawn women or gear. Real stuff.

[pll]

Very nicely done!

[MojoGrrl]

But NONE of them are wearing helmets!!

[zoom-zoom]

But NONE of them are wearing helmets!!

I noticed that. The VAST majority of them are sans-helmet. Not sure I like the message that omission sends, even if the rest of the advice is good. Then the subliminal message is that fashion and hairstyle trump safety.

[tytbody]

nice. thank you.

[marni]

It's probably not mandatory in the UK. It wasn't in Holland, I guess they figure that they spend so much time commuting on isolated bike paths mostly (at least in seperated bike paths in Holland) that they are ok. It does say on the accessory page that a bike helmet is a personal choice. Hopefully they are cognizant and senstitive to the risks.

marni

[jobob]

I rarely saw any cyclist, man or woman, wearing a helmet when I was working in Denmark, and people were biking all over the place.

Different standards & expectations in Europe, I guess.

Ed: And, at least in Denmark, a far better cycling infrastructure than in the US.

[shootingstar]

There were 2 women wearing helmets. Yes, true sans helmets in the booklet (UK). I have no problems with the clothing of the featured women were wearing. It wasn't totally outrageous or super unsafe.

Then I hope those who feel strongly will speak out locally, not just here in a niche women's forum.

For instance I posted on another cycling forum past week ...in support of bike helmets. And was hinted I was infringing on people's rights ..even though many of the same folks in the other forum wore helmets too. :confused:

I'm abit tired of this sort of sitting on the fence.

I support wearing helmets....and helmet legislation. Does it deter cycling for women...I certainly hope that's not the main reason why the majority of women who don't cycle (but know how to bike).

People talk about the cost of helmet as a deterrent.

Yea, right. How about the cost of a used car if one is tight for money? :confused:

And helmet legislation is not going to stop any efforts/slow efforts for better cycling infrastructure. People are blurring and confusing helmet legislation, better cycling infrastructure and improved driver education plus traffic calming mechanisms (traffic circles, lower speed limits on certain in-city streets, etc.). It's like seatbelt legislation...that was never a deterrent from asking for better highways/more highways (whether or not the rest of the community wanted that expressway rammed through their area).

I do think the reality is we live in a faster car mentality culture and being in huge countries (Canada and U.S.) perpetuates that feeling of big space, longer distances and sprawled out communities/wide roads, etc.

[tytbody]

how come they call them tyres instead of tires.?

[jobob]

Same reason they spell color, colour.

[Owlie]

UK spelling uses a y. Two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and all that. ;)


Eddie Izzard's take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IzDbNFDdP4 (language warning)

[trickycoolj]

I find it a little amusing that Germany has no law regarding helmet use, but bicycles are required by law to have a generator powered light on them unless it's a racing bike. Flashing lights are also not allowed. My dad gets really upset at American bicyclists without lights and has been known to attach an entire car headlight and battery on his mountain bike. :o

[tytbody]

UK spelling uses a y. Two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and all that. ;)


Eddie Izzard's take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IzDbNFDdP4 (language warning)

lol. that was funny. thank you for showing me that guy.

[PamNY]

This looks like very good information for any beginning cyclist, male or female.

The tone is very patronizing and degrading to women -- reminds me of what one saw in the 1950s. I need a "Bike buddy" on account of I'm a girl???? Sheesh.

And a huge headline announcing that women don't bike because they don't feel safe enough?

And pointing out that "high profile" women cycle?? That's supposed to be an incentive?

[shootingstar]

This looks like very good information for any beginning cyclist, male or female.

The tone is very patronizing and degrading to women -- reminds me of what one saw in the 1950s. I need a "Bike buddy" on account of I'm a girl???? Sheesh.

And a huge headline announcing that women don't bike because they don't feel safe enough?

And pointing out that "high profile" women cycle?? That's supposed to be an incentive?

Ok, I didn't read the text closely.
What is wrong saying that women don't bike because they don't feel safe enough? There is a terrible reality that alot of people don't cycle because they don't feel safe...methinks alot of us have had this said to some of us personally. :confused: After all, Janette Sadik-Khan NYC Commissioner for Transportation, who was so instrumental in slapping through bike lanes in NYC, said that women are the canary species for determining the level of safe cycling infrastructure. The safer it is, the more women cyclists out in greater numbers.

It's highly noticeable to me here in Calgary, more inferior cycling infrastructure does result in far less women visibly cycling around compared to Vancovuer where there is much more traffic calming measures and better cycling infrastructure.

Men have their own high profile models...they're just called...world class racers/athletes. :rolleyes:
Some people do get motivated by doing 'chic' things with a bunch of perceived -to -be -cool gang ie. hipsters on bike, etc.

Well, maybe it's best to send feedback to Sustrans, the organization that created the booklet.

[tytbody]

I don't NEED a bike buddy. But I want one for companionship as it would make for me, more fun. I can walk alone but biking can be more enjoyable in a group. isn't that why they have bike rides??? get people together to ride?

[Grits]

This was my favorite:

"I know lots of people are put off cycling by feeling a lack
of safety. I am an orthopaedic surgeon and see very few
cycling-related injuries each year, but hundreds of
fractures due to osteoporosis, caused by lack of
sunlight and exercise.
Scarlett McNally, BSc MB BChir FRCS (Eng) FRCS
(Tr and Orth) MA
“

[lph]

I liked it. Have to remember who the goal group is - everyday not sporty women who do not cycle at all, but could be convinced to do so, especially for transport. Not women in general, not tomboys, not women involved in other sports already who don't have the time or inclination to cycle. And certainly not us :D It's a fair assumption that many in the goal group do not cycle because they feel unsafe, don't know what to wear or feel selfconscious in bike gear, don't know much about bikes etc. I don't think that's patronizing, just realistic.

And sure, a lot of this applies to male beginners as well. But cultural standards for men are different.

[jobob]

+1 lph

[tytbody]

so it was to try to encourage more woman to ride and showing them how to get into it. ... That's good.