some questions for a school project on women who bike

[samisslick]

hello all,

i'm sam. and i'm not actually very slick, more awkward than anything. anyway, i'm doing a short presentation in a class at the new school about women who bike. i'm focusing on a few female-oriented cycling communities, a little bit of history, recent fetishism (girlsonbikes blog,etc.), me, my friends, messengers, commuters, etc.

i'd really appreciate it if anyone had some time to answer a few short questions in any amount of detail (or lack there of) you'd like. i'd also appreciate any ideas or suggestions. thanks so much for your time!!

also, ladies who race--i would love to hear a little bit about it.

sam

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where do you live?:
how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
what type of bike(s) do you have?:
do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
general comments and ideas:

[F8th637]

Sounds like a great project, Sam!

where do you live?: - Outside of Washington DC

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): - Commuting, leisurely, recreational, touring

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding? - a year. Yes, I picked it up again after childhood.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: - two road bikes that I believe are tourers

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before? - I'm probably not a good person to answer this question since I only picked it up after a year and hadn't paid attention before.

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?: - No, not really

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): - Since cycling has been a male-dominated sport a lot of equipment bikes and the components of a bike have been geared more towards males. Thankfully, many bike makers now are taking into account the needs of women when it comes to bike such as the physiology and geometry of our bodies and the fact that women are a lot of times smaller than men in many regards. I also think that women may have more concerns about safety especially at night or in riding alone. I would love to ride at night alone but fear for my safety as a woman.

[mimitabby]

here's my survey results, in red

where do you live?:
pacific NW

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
commuting and leisure

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now?
about 5 years
did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
yes. and the first couple years were tough
what type of bike(s) do you have?:
one road bike, one hybrid one mixte and a tandem.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
no - I have seen more cyclists in general though
do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
no
do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling?
yes
what would they be?
saddles, bike sizes- it's tough for many women to find bikes that fit properly.



general comments and ideas:
good luck

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

where do you live?:
upstate New York.

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
leisure, health, and errand/practical.

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
2 years. Yes, I went 37 years between riding as a kid and riding now.

what type of bike(s) do you have?:
2 steel road/touring bikes.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
yes.

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
No.

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
Yes. Bike fit, equipment.

general comments and ideas:
Our country needs to get on the bike bandwagon and encourage more bike use as opposed to car use.

[bean fidhleir]

where do you live?:
how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
what type of bike(s) do you have?:
do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
general comments and ideas:

Southwestern Massachusetts

Utility cycling - I use my bike for all my transportation needs, insofar as that's possible. I do it for ethical reasons, but it's nice to save the gas money too.

Since the bad news about the impending climate disaster became known. Before that I rode mostly for convenience.

I have a frankenbike based on a '95 Mongoose ATB frame, and an '85 Miyata mixte-frame light tourer.

No, mostly I see men on bikes. But really not many of them, either. The number of women I encounter is almost zero, but we few wave and cheer at one another as we pass by.

I'm a retired nerd and not at all popular-culture oriented, so I really don't know what's going on in mass media unless someone feels the need to tell me.

I think it's a pain in the bumbaleerie that the target market for bikes is defined to be 20yo boys on fantasy trips, and that if women -especially middle-agers- want a good quality bike that fits but don't want to or can't afford made-to-measure, we have to start with one made for said 20yo male fantasy-trippers and kludge it into a frankenbike. The only reason my mixte isn't built of gas pipe is because Miyata made their own tubing. But of the three quality points in their touring line (2xx, 6xx, 1000) , the mixte frame was only made in the lowest (210). It's still quite good compared to the competition of the time, but the 2xx bikes never got the rave reviews the 6xx and 1000 still get. Grrrrr.

[farrellcollie]

where do you live? Midwest

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): Commuting and leisure

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? 10

did you pick it up again after years of not riding? yes

what type of bike(s) do you have? 2 folding bikes, two road bikes and one hybrid

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before? yes

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently? no

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? yes

what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety) Bike fit is a big concern, bike choice (more bikes in more sizes and not just with patterns or colors to make them seem more feminine

[GLC1968]

where do you live?:
just moved to the Portland, OR area from Greensboro, NC
how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
leisure/recreation, commuting/errands, and fitness (would like to compete and to tour, but haven't done either one yet)
how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now?
3 years
did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
not exactly. I've had a mountain bike since college and would use it recreationally on occasion. Riding a road bike was brand new to me when I bought it 3 years ago, though. That's what I consider the start of my adult cycling career.
what type of bike(s) do you have?:
I have a road bike, a mountain bike, a touring/commuter bike and my commuter/errand bike which is an upright mixte frame.
do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
yes, but that's probably due to a move from NC to Portand where there are more cyclists in general. I do notice that a larger % of the cyclists I see here are women than was the case in NC. I have no basis for comparison to previous years though
do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
not really
do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
I think that most of the bicycling companies are doing a good job of growing their selection of products to cover women. I notice this selection increases every year. What I don't think is happening is a similar change in cycling shops. So many of them just don't seem as educated on women's issues at all. Just the other day, I was waiting for my husband at a bike shop and I overheard the guy giving bad advice to a new woman rider. His advice was sooo geared towards men and seemed very uninformed about women and women specific merchandise. I think there needs to be more education at the human level on women and riding.

Based on my friends' comments, the biggest barriers to cycling for women appear to be fear of saddle pain, fear of lycra, and fear of traffic. I also think that a lot of women would probably ride if they had other women like them to ride with and to learn with...
general comments and ideas:

[pinkychique]

where do you live?: In New Mexico

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): All of the above. I race triathlons, I've done one local time trial race, and I love commuting/playing around on my bikes!

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: I never rode like I do now, I picked it up when I started with the UNM Triathlon team.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: 1 really old cruiser (it was my 77 yr old grandmother's first), 1 old mountain bike turned commuter (1998 Trek 800), 1 single-speed-turned-fixie, 1 road/triathlon bike, and one hand-me-down not currently in working order Specialized Carbon Fiber Allez.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: Yes, actually, of all shapes and genres of cyclists. Though they clearly don't always know the rules of the road

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?: No, it's still very male-dominated, but I think it's turning very slowly

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): yes, equipment definately is a big one, we're mostly not shaped like men(though my mother does better with male geometry than female) and I don't want to go out on a bike that has "man" written all over it. I always end up putting something girly on the bike (pink bar tape, bell, waterbottle cages, a nailpolish flower...you get the idea)

general comments and ideas: i would like to see more women-oriented designs in the industry, for sure, but it shouldn't get to the point of "dumbing down" the equipment just because it's made for a woman. I know what to do with bikes, and i expect the same level of respect that a man would get when buying/riding a bike.

good luck with your project!

[redrhodie]

where do you live?:
Newport, RI

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
commuting, fitness, and leisure

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
I started riding 4-5 years ago. I was never seriously into riding before. Owned a bike, but only rode during summer vacations.

what type of bike(s) do you have?:
I have 2 road bikes.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
Yes, I notice them more now that I am into riding, but I'm not sure whether there are more riding or not. Whenever any road bike goes by, I perk up.

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
Yes, I notice there are a few tv commercials that show women on road bikes. There's a car ad (Volvo I think) that shows a woman tackling a huge climb, with her family cheering her on, and offering support when she flats. Haven't noticed much in print, like stories about women riders or such.

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
Saddles are a big concern. Comfort. We've had threads about feeling nervous about riding alone on some rodes, carrying weapons, so I'd say safety is an issue.

general comments and ideas:
I get the sense that there's a large group of us who are over 30 who have taken up the sport after years of never being on a bike. It will be interesting to see how we age on the bike. In senior years, what types of bikes will we be riding? Will I still be able to ride my road bike in 30 years? I hope so.

[tulip]

where do you live?: Richmond, Virginia

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): recreational club rides and utility. I don't commute because I work from home, but I would commute by bike if I worked in an office. I used to commute for 5 years.

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? 25 years recreational riding. I also raced for 4 years and commuted for 5 years.

did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: I never really gave it up.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: I have a road bike that I use for long rides, a folding bike for traveling and long rides, a flat-bar road bike that I use for errands and urban riding, and an old mountain bike that needs repair and rejeuvenation.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: When I lived in DC, yes. Here I see mainly women on bikes around the university.

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?: Pictures, yes. Stories, no.

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? Yes

what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): Equipment and bike, clothing. Safety I see as the same for all riders--mainly safety in regards to car traffic.

general comments and ideas: I see riding bikes as an important part of transportation. I strive to promote my own cycling as transportation, not just recreation.

[Crankin]

where do you live?: Concord, MA

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):fitness, leisure, group rides, touring, a little commuting and errands

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: I've been riding almost eight years. First, it was just fitness, then I did some bike tours. The commuting and errands have been in the last 3 years. I rode a bit in grad school and when I was in my thirties; I considered 10 miles a long ride then! I rode a lot as a kid.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: I have a carbon road bike, a steel hybrid, and a full suspension mountain bike

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: Yes!!

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:maybe a little, particularly in the local press

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): Keep making more women specific bikes and components. More choice for smaller women. More clothing for a wide variety of sizes. Help with mechanics.

general comments and ideas: What kind of class is this for?

[motochick]

where do you live?:Clarkdale, AZ

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): Leisure

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? I have been a cyclist for 21 years. Riding like I do now, 1 year.

did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: Yes, I have picked it up again several times. This time I am cycling in such a way that I will not burn out.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: I have an older ti road bike with older wheels and brakes but a new 10 speed drivetrain.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: Yes, especially living in a small town in a rural area.

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?: I don't really pay attention to media.

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? Yes

what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): It would be nice to have as many equipment choices that the men have.

general comments and ideas: It would be nice if the other female cyclists I come across would be nice and take an interest in meeting other women who cycle and not just blowing by as fast as they can. I find that most of the cyclists I see are rude and arrogant and don't want anything to do with you if you aren't in their little click. Some are too much into the racing thing and won't accept the recreational rider. I just like to ride.

Brenda

[short cut sally]

where do you live?: New York State

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
leisure and fitness

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: 4 or 5 years I've been riding, picked it up after at least 15 years of being idle

what type of bike(s) do you have?: Road bikes x2

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:not really

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:not really, but wish they would, it's very male oriented

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):finding clothes that fit, esp if you are not skinny minney. maybe when going into a bike shop, the staff talking down to you or not talking to you at all because you are a female in the "mans shop"

general comments and ideas:[/QUOTE]are you a male or female? Are you in high school or college as you said it was a school project? (just wondering) and Good luck on your project

[OakLeaf]

where do you live?:
eastern Ohio/central Florida

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive):
commuter, leisure & fitness

how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? did you pick it up again after years of not riding?:
In the 70s and 80s I was a commuter, recreational rider and tourist (tourer?). In the late 80s and early 90s I raced. I burned out and did not ride again until 2003 when I bought a commuter bike. In 2006 I returned to road riding and have been steadily increasing my mileage since.

what type of bike(s) do you have?:
Carbon road bike, aluminum commuter (steel race bike - retired)

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?:
no

do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?:
no

do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety):
bike fit. Clothing fit is much less of an issue now than it used to be, although I still do see some small men's gloves branded as "women's" by marketers who don't know women's thumbs have a different placement than men's

general comments and ideas:
will you post a link to your results?

[TxDoc]

Here you go:
where do you live?: Texas.
how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): Fitness.
how long have you been riding a bike in the way that you do now? about 30 years more or less.
did you pick it up again after years of not riding?: not really, I never gave it up - just slowed down with the training here and there when I was feeling more lazy...
what type of bike(s) do you have?: road racing bikes x2.
do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: No, just more cyclists in general.
do you notice more focus on females who bike in the media recently?: Don't think so - at least for competitive cycling. We have about the same news coverage we have always had, and usually men's competitions have better media coverage than women's.
do you think there are female specific concerns in cycling? yes.
what would they be? (buying appropriate bike/equipment, stigma, safety): Equipment!!! It is harder for a woman to find a proper fit unless you go custom. This is especially true for shorter women, since many good bikes start at a size 49 or 50. Your choice of models in 44 or 46/47 is more limited, and same is for some of the accessories. For example if you want a 40 handlebar you have hundreds of choices, but if you want a 38 or a 36 then the list is a lot shorter. So unless your team gives you a custom bike, you are going to have a harder time finding the right bicycle.
general comments and ideas: good luck for your project, and let us know how you did!