DC's cycling gender gap

[ny biker]

The Washington Area Bicycling Asssociation held a women's cycling forum. Sounds like it was interesting.

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2011/12/d-c-s-bicycling-gender-gap-begins-at-the-bike-shop-and-at-home-13926.html

[Laguna]

Very interesting article...and I'm a guy. :)

[ny biker]

I generally don't have problems at bike shops. The LBS I frequent is owned by a married couple, and from the beginning they have always catered to female customers as much as men. They also welcome all kinds of riders -- racers, commuters, mountain bikers, people who want to do centuries, people who want to cruise around the rail trails with their kids, etc. They just want you to have fun riding your bike, regardless of who you are.

[rubysoho]

I have yet to run into rude shop employees. But I am not in DC. However I am not far away either!

A1 Cycles (in Herndon)
Spokes (in Fairfax)

and another one I am forgetting at the moment...

All three have been very friendly with good staff. They each had one person I'd probably not go to with questions but I have yet to find a cyclist or store staff who has treated me poorly.

Are bike stores really a problem in DC? Or is it the insecurity of entering a "new world" when buying the first bike. I guess that part or the article has me scratching my head. And if they are such a problem, I encourage people to give online ratings to those stores (if they haven't). I am pretty sure any manager would want to crack down on poor treatment of customers.

I also don't like the idea of promoting cycling without helmets (to save our hair). I know they talked about having safer routes so helmets would be needed less... but I just believe in protecting my head every ride. It comes from my horseback riding background.

But, I do like encouraging more women and young girls to ride!

ETA: I do think that some men try to hard to be helpful but their lack of knowledge might mean the woman ends up with a poorly fitting bike. That is the biggest deterrent I can think of. Every time I talk to someone about their last bike ride (as an adult) they always say how horribly uncomfortable it was. It hurt. Etc... This applies to both men and women.

[meganm]

The term "gap" annoys me. I think it's used to attract attention to the story, and I'm not convinced there is a story here.

Rubysoho, you mentioned A-1. When I lived in DC (and frequently still visit), they are the go-to shop for me. Great staff and great selection of bikes and bike stuff.

[ny biker]

Evidently WABA thinks it's an issue, otherwise they wouldn't have had the forum.

[rubysoho]

Evidently WABA thinks it's an issue, otherwise they wouldn't have had the forum.

I do think it is a "problem" in the sense that if we want more amenities then cycling will need to grow. In order for that to happen then more women need to get involved. I just don't think the bulk of the problem is in the bike store.

But are we talking about "cycling" or biking? Really, any level of participation would help. So the focus needs to be on making bikes and travel on them more accessible. The whole "if you build it, they will come."

Is there data from other successful countries who were able to mobilize their female population?

Cute, non-intimidating bikes is the start. "Real" road bikes are intimidating and many mountain bikes are just bulky and ugly. Many of the hybrids, being marketed as good for exercise, could be improved. I'd say it needs to be fashionable as well. More chic photos of models in cute skirts with their bike and attached basket. Eye-roll all you want but appealing to the masses who have been trained to respond to the cutest, sexiest, insert similar adjective trend will garner a bigger response.

I'd also say the culture of cyclists needs to change. (Which does go against what I said about how I haven't been made fun of... but I have heard the comments and seen the eye rolls so I'm sure it happens to many.) Biking doesn't have to be a sport for everyone and it is GREAT if they are out for even less than a mile. Or only use a bike for weekend errands. So what if someone is pedaling as fast as they can with sneakers on! Not everyone's bike needs to cost more than $1k... or more for that matter. Seems that now the good entry level bikes are $2k or even $3k.

I still think that better or more bike paths linking neighborhoods and hot spots would be the way to go. The biggest intimidating factor is having to ride alongside cars. I do agree with the article that if cycling wants to grow then women need to be targeted. As the article states, we talk, blog, share, get excited, try to bring our friends out, etc... It is just hard to get our friends to join us when all you have is the road or the nearest access point to a trail is over 30 minutes away and the trail is super crowded. Not everyone gets excited to be passed by a peloton on the W&OD.