Okay...in the interest of research:

where do you live?: Metro-D.C. area

how would you classify your riding (commuting, leisure, competitive): Commuting and 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?: I started riding about 13 years ago after not riding since I was a kid. I've generally been riding the same - fitness rides - although in the past 4 years I've increased the mileage and added a more utilitarian function to my riding since commuting.

what type of bike(s) do you have?: I have five bikes. Two standard road bikes (one custom), a flat bar road bike for commuting, a dual suspension mountain bike, and a cruiser.

do you notice more females on bikes in recent years than before?: Actually, yes. Not so much on the rides I do with my shop, but "out there" in general.

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): Certainly safety is a big one. I think safety on a bike is a concern for everyone in a car-centered society, but women have an added risk that I think men don't really think about. Readily availabile apparel is an issue...I don't know if I'd call it a "concern" however.

general comments and ideas: