Trek Women Who Ride

[Zen]

I'm glad to see at least *something* from a big company that really draws attention to women who cycle,

I've been thinking about this.
Have you ever seen an ad for bikes on television on any channel other than versus or ESPN?
I would think TV advertising would be an effective tool. There must be women who would love to ride but feel intimidated. Seeing a woman on a Townie or riding with her family might make it seem possible.

[Trek420]

I've been thinking about this.
Have you ever seen an ad for bikes on television on any channel other than versus or ESPN?
I would think TV advertising would be an effective tool. There must be women who would love to ride but feel intimidated. Seeing a woman on a Townie or riding with her family might make it seem possible.

Not gonna happen I don't even think Trek or any of the other "big" bike companies have the funds for an ad campaign.

It would take all of them together doing ads for cycling.

There's a ton of "product placement". Seems like every TV spot has a bike.

[rij73]

It's a shame... I think it just doesn't even occur to lots of adults that riding a bike would be fun, healthy, useful, etc. Someone should be able to raise money for TV ads... What about Critical Mass or Transportation Alternatives? (Though we don't have to get into a discussion of those groups and their methods!)

[Kimmyt]

It's a shame... I think it just doesn't even occur to lots of adults that riding a bike would be fun, healthy, useful, etc.

I don't know... there has to be a reason all those pharmaceutical companies use screenshots of aging folks having fun riding bikes to give off a 'healthy' image and sell their ads.... if it weren't selling their product, they wouldn't use it, so obviously folks associate riding bikes with healthy living...or perhaps it is associated with youth.

[slmdunc]

The problem with marketing to and for females in athletics spans to many sports. My partner and I have been watching the current Women's World Cup (soccer) - and we are blown away by the lack of attention it gets in the mainstream area of sports. The U.S. beat England the other day in the Quarter Finals, and it was buried in the middle section of the NYTimes sports section on Sunday, with just a little blurb announcing it. It's a HUGE win, and yet - as with most female sports - it gets largely ignored.

Zen, I have been thinking about the marketing as well... I wish they would market more to females for all sorts of sports, namely biking. One could say, well, there is not a big enough market to spend those kind of advertising dollars - and yet - if one WERE to spend some money advertising it, the market would GROW. Catch 22.

So - in conclusion - yes, the Trek campaign is seriously lacking in diversity, but AT LEAST it's something. Baby steps maybe.

[Zen]

So - in conclusion - yes, the Trek campaign is seriously lacking in diversity, but AT LEAST it's something. Baby steps maybe.

Seems to me they're selling to those who are already buying.

I have been seeing a lot of the U.S. Women's soccer team with Nike but we know they have a ginormous ad budget. Probably the only coverage we'll see of them on network TV

[KSH]

Well I liked reading the following:

Susan is best described as “A one woman show”. She made us laugh as she described her bike as her “saving grace” during her 40 months of pregnancy, 210 pound weight gain (and loss), 48 months of nursing and the hormonal battlefield she calls her bod

“Take that Cancer!” was Jen's mantra last September as she crossed the finish line at her first Danskin Triathlon.

An inspiration to eveyone who reads her story. Laura shares the trials and tribulations of her journey to lose the “extra person” she carried with her until March 13, 2007.

At 60, Marie has broken down more barriers to cycling than most. Her story of achievement is impressive and inspirational.

So, yes they are lacking diversity and darker hair color... but they picked 2 ladies who lost a lot of weight (that's inspirational- and a good reason to ride), a cancer survivor, and someone who is "older".