Southern California - Why Don't More Women in L.A. Ride Bikes?

This question was brought up on another website and then someone started a blog and asked. So I'm asking SoCal BF...Why...do ya think?

http://blogging.la/archives/2007/09/girls_on_bikes.phtml

They're afraid of M.E.

I'm still objecting to the premise of the question, on the grounds that it assumes facts not in evidence. Since when don't women ride bikes in LA? (I know the exact words are "more women," but these discussions have always proceeded from the assumption that there's a huge shortage of female bike riders in this city compared to others.)

musses up their hair?

can't find pants that don't clash with the nails (and i am NOT getting my nails redone just for the bike)?

too overbalanced from breast enhancement surgery, plus i do most of my good work lying on my back?

these are only a few answers which may or may not be relevant.

I'm not an urban rider, Alice, but if I were I'd have second thoughts about riding in certain neighborhoods. Not only crime, but I wonder about road conditions and city road rage.

My local area is considered bike-friendly so I see plenty of female roadies training/riding (although it is still predominately men.) And on another good note, I've read that new license applications to USA Triathlon are approaching the magical 50-50 ratio. According to what I see at my tri club socials/meetings, women of all ages are very well represented!

EDIT: BTW, there were lots of women on the Lighthouse Century - all ages, shapes and sizes. The SBW paceline that flew by us (like we were standing still) even had a few gals in it.

Yes, a more interesting thing would be why men ride and why women ride. There would be plenty of databases to use. For one, the Amtrak Century lists their participants by name. Although the Kona Ironman is for the world's elite, it too has the list online in great detail.

Another list would be why men and why women run. I am guessing that there are more runners out there than riders.

Women represent a small segment of the sport of cycling. As to why more women don't ride recreationaly in L.A., I don't know if the percentages are any lower here than anywhere else, but there are plenty of reasons not to ride these streets. There are psychos in cars here, and many of them are misogynistic idiots. Women I know have been subjected to abuse at the hands of these sickos as long as I have been riding. Besides the usual obcenities and sexualy degrading shouts, my ex-wife was slapped on the butt by a cretin in a passing car and nearly went down. She was strafed by another pinhead in a Suburban who tried to run her into the curb, while laying on his horn. My friend Sue had some punks through a grape Slurpee on her new white jersey, (cops did catch them). I could go on all morning, you get the idea.
As a man, I feel isolated out there sometimes, but a lot of the cowardly jerks will not confront me once out of the car. I can only imagine how a lone woman feels when she is threatend by some brain dead savage in a car.

I'm still objecting to the premise of the question, on the grounds that it assumes facts not in evidence. Since when don't women ride bikes in LA? (I know the exact words are "more women," but these discussions have always proceeded from the assumption that there's a huge shortage of female bike riders in this city compared to others.)

+1

I was wondering the same thing. Is there any actual data to support the premise?

+1

I was wondering the same thing. Is there any actual data to support the premise?

Quite a few wimmin were on your Slacker Century, Dan. It must be your magnetic personality!

:p;)

Embarrassment, Fear and Laziness... After months of nagging, I finally got my wife to start riding her bike to the gym to save on gas and get a good workout before the gym however she refuses to wear a helmet at times because she figures people would laugh at her... She's also scared to ride off the sidewalk on certain streets out of fear of being hit by a car.

I ride my bike to the gym and women often mention how I get a great workout before coming to the gym yet when I mention to them that they should try it then they'll come up with various excuses about not having the time....

Must share!!! Last year I offered to buy a bike for my mother and sister in law and their response was that they much rather walk for exercise because the bike will make their butts bigger.... Funny!!!!

their response was that they much rather walk for exercise because the bike will make their butts bigger.... Funny!!!!

But I thought that was one of the good things about riding...

...Must share!!! Last year I offered to buy a bike for my mother and sister in law and their response was that they much rather walk for exercise because the bike will make their butts bigger.... Funny!!!!

According to SirMixAlot, that would be a good thing. :)

As Joy said, if you look at your local triathlon club, you will find LOTS of women who have taken up cycling as part of their sport. Some of the draw there is that lots of women who participated in Title IX sports programs in college are looking for competitive outlets after leaving school.

+1

I was wondering the same thing. Is there any actual data to support the premise?

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/NewsAndViews/Gender.htm

http://www.adventurecycling.org/ride_registry/stats.cfm

What I would like to know, is why aren't there more women who race bikes? I would love to see more women out doing large pack rides and races. More then any other bike related sport like Tris or centuries, women have a very low interest in this kind of riding. Anyone have any ideas on why this is? Personally I think the risk factor is too high for most of them, compared to guys who seem to see risk as more of a positive thing then negative. But I just know that here in S. Cal, the womens fields at most races are very sparse.

We sure could use a few more of ya ladies out there.
It actually is ok to love to suffer:)

As a man, I feel isolated out there sometimes, but a lot of the cowardly jerks will not confront me once out of the car. I can only imagine how a lone woman feels when she is threatend by some brain dead savage in a car.

+1
As a sport, I think MORE women are joining now...evidenced by the increased need in the market for Women Specific Designs for bikes and other items. But as for commuting, I agree with John. As I've mentioned in the Commuting Thread, I don't commute from Glendale at night due not only to the heavily trafficked streets getting in and out of the city, but also because I would have to ride on the LA River Trail Bike Path alone in the dark. As a man, you run the risk of harrassment and possible attack out there alone. As a woman, you run the risk of **** as well. The reality in this world is that women are weaker physically and until we have well lit/maintained, populated safe paths/lanes to ride on/in, it's simply scarier for women. I, as a woman, will not take the risk.

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/NewsAndViews/Gender.htm

This data supports the observation that there are more male than female cyclist overall, but the OP was referring to a discussion that LA had fewer female cyclist than other cities. National stats don't support that one way or the other.

In the link provided in the OP, many of the comments state that they find it too dangerous because of the traffic. If all these people got over that, there would be so many more bikes on the roads that motorists would become more aware of their presence and know how to react, or at least I'd like to think so.
Also, I see many more men on bikes in my area (SFV) in both a utilitarian and recreational capacity.

This data supports the observation that more male than female cyclist overall, but the OP was referring to a discussion that LA had fewer female cyclist than other cities. National stats don't support that one way or the other.
I know, Dan. I don't know if there is data showing L.A. has less female cyclists than other cities as a percentage, but I would think that wouldn't be true. I mean, women are a small segment of the cycling population in general and I think L.A. or SoCal would be the same, or very close, to national stats.
I also think the statement in the blog about other cities having a 50-50 ratio of men to women cyclists is ridiculous.

What I would like to know, is why aren't there more women who race bikes?

I've thought about it, BD, and it's not a safety issue. I might even enter a crit if I ever find the time to train properly for one.
Speaking strictly from my own POV, there are a few factors why I'm not racing right now:

1.) Finding a like group of women to train with is difficult. When I meet women on the road they tend to be much slower than me, or much faster. I have ridden with a few SBW gals and if I were to pursue racing, I would probably try to hook up with them. Training with men is good on occasion since it really pushes me, but let's face it, there is no comparison of the sheer leg strength necessary for a sprint.

2.) I'm not that overtly competitive. I like to better my times and my ability, but I haven't the slightest need to "kill and destroy" others in head-to-head competition. Blame it on the lack of testosterone. Or a somewhat happy childhood. Or middle-aged couch-potatoitis.

3.) High intensity training is not as much fun (for me) as hills or long-distance events. Maybe it's the social factor. I like to gab and make jokes with my buddies when I ride. Interval training necessary for speed –– while effective –– is not as much fun.

4.) Indolent doesn't do it. :p

Some of my women friends have started riding with a race/training group to prepare for racing,(supposedly), and I hear grumblings from 2 of them already. They say it just isn't fun like club rides. Maybe some of them will get bitten by the race bug, but in my selfish thoughts, I want them to come back to the club rides.

one word....ovoleg

one word....ovoleg

:roflmao:

I think there are several reasons.

Racing is a lot about being aggressive, and that's just not how most women are built. I'm in no way saying that's bad, or that women can't succeed or achieve, or in any way mean that to be disparaging. Women are by nature just more social, affiliative, and more likely to prefer cooperation to competition. I don't know many female athletes, but I bet the best ones act alot like men when they're training and racing.

As an example, a friend that coaches kid's soccer says that the hardest thing he has to teach the girls is to be aggressive. Many don't want to get into the middle of it, and would rather let the other kid have the ball than try and fight to take it away. The boys don't have that problem, usually.

Another reason is the technical stuff associated with bikes. Again, that's just not as important to the gals as it is to the guys. Many guys get off on the minutae of cycling in a way that just competely bores a lot of women. for many guys, the machine is cool for it's own sake, while many women value their bike for what it can do, and where it can take them. It's a more pragmatic, utilitarian approach, and it also explains why some of these girls can ride the worst adjusted, poorly maintained bikes and not seem to care. It still works for them.

Last, around UCLA, I see just as many women riding bikes as men to/around campus. But the guys tend to have cooler bikes... :)

Another reason is the technical stuff associated with bikes. Again, that's just not as important to the gals as it is to the guys.

http://starwarsloser.info/smile/confused/confused0050.gif (http://www.squidoo.com/seonorwich)

http://starwarsloser.info/smile/confused/confused0050.gif (http://www.squidoo.com/seonorwich)

Oh...DScott...so...should not...have gone....



....there. :mad:


:p P.S. I'm the prime example of a woman who doesn't care as much for the technical stuff, but it certainly doesn't dissuade me from riding my tailend off. So, sorry, I don't agree!

http://starwarsloser.info/smile/confused/confused0050.gif (http://www.squidoo.com/seonorwich)

As hard as I tried, I knew I'd probably still piss somebody off! ;)

I'm NOT saying that certain people of a superior gender can't appreciate the finer distinctions of 12K vs. 20K weave carbon, or would be stupid enough to spend thousands of dollars to lose a pound or two of weight off a perfectly good light weight bike. It's just not that interesting to many/most people of that particular superior gender, in my ever so humble opinion.

All you have to do is watch the eye-rolling and the vacant looks on the faces of such peoples when the weight weenie subjects come up. Which, by the way, suggest my point: how many women members of this forum are there?

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=45676e1de7a6d92cbde1d1bd587da7a2

Sample topic: "Smaller crank size? yes or no"


;)

I've thought about it, BD, and it's not a safety issue. I might even enter a crit if I ever find the time to train properly for one.
Speaking strictly from my own POV, there are a few factors why I'm not racing right now:


4.) Indolent doesn't do it. :p

I would be happy to start a women's racing team, however I will not shave my legs.

Oh...DScott...so...should not...have gone....



....there. :mad:


:p P.S. I'm the prime example of a woman who doesn't care as much for the technical stuff, but it certainly doesn't dissuade me from riding my tailend off. So, sorry, I don't agree!

See, you make my point: it's mostly all about the riding.

And, the point is just this: we LIKE women who ride, and want there to be more of them. Really, though, how many can ride like you maniacs, or even want to? Not enough.

Why do YOU think that is?

one word....ovoleg

See, that's already a universally known fact. It was already implied in the OP's question. "Other than ovoleg, why don't more women in LA ride bikes?" :lol:

Just check out the hotties on PCH on Saturdays!!! All geared up and looking quite beautiful!!

All you have to do is watch the eye-rolling and the vacant looks on the faces of such peoples when the weight weenie subjects come up. Which, by the way, suggest my point: how many women members of this forum are there?

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=45676e1de7a6d92cbde1d1bd587da7a2

This has nothing to do with womens' interest in technical topics. I would think that it would be obvious that:

1. Women don't have weenies to weigh
2. To the extent that they're interested in the topic, heavier is better, not lighter.

As hard as I tried, I knew I'd probably still piss somebody off! ;)

I'm NOT saying that certain people of a superior gender can't appreciate the finer distinctions of 12K vs. 20K weave carbon, or would be stupid enough to spend thousands of dollars to lose a pound or two of weight off a perfectly good light weight bike. It's just not that interesting to many/most people of that particular superior gender, in my ever so humble opinion.


Whether or not I, being a woman, am interested in or want to talk ad nauseam about components/parts and grams associated with those "shiny things on my bike" (:p) has NOTHING to do with whether or not I RIDE it.

Dude, there are many men out there who spend $$$$$ on the fancy all carbon - all campy bikes, expensive wheel-sets and upgrade constantly, yet they can't last for much more than 30 miles on any given day and would get smoked and or killed if they showed up for crit. It doesn't matter if you're a geek or not and are interested in every aspect of the equipment you are riding. It's the actual riding (of any kind) on a bike (of any kind) that counts. At least that's what I garnered from Alicestrong's OP.

On your point about racing and aggression - there are many aggressive, highly competitive female riders out there. The desire to race is personal and sex has little to do with it, IMO. There are many incredible female pros out there riding. Just go witness the Simi Ride some Sunday and you'll see them...right before they drop you. :p:D

And last but not least, one of the strongest riders (a racer whom I shall not name) has one of the dirtiest, poorest maintained bikes I've ever seen. This rider is a man and loves racing/riding in general. The maintenance of the bike has little to do with the riders passion or willingness to ride - although, yes, it can be argued that it can aid or hinder their enjoyment if they aren't careful.

And last but not least, one of the strongest riders (a racer whom I shall not name) has one of the dirtiest, poorest maintained bikes I've ever seen. This rider is a man and loves racing/riding in general. The maintenance of the bike has little to do with the riders passion or willingness to ride - although, yes, it can be argued that it can aid or hinder their enjoyment if they aren't careful.

I will! It's Biting Duck! His bike's grottiness is legendary. He can drop us all, but at this point if he were to try clean the bike he would need permits from OSHA and the EPA.

See, you make my point: it's mostly all about the riding.

And, the point is just this: we LIKE women who ride, and want there to be more of them. Really, though, how many can ride like you maniacs, or even want to? Not enough.

Why do YOU think that is?

I'm not sure how I did that. :p

And why do I think there aren't as many women riding as much as the few women on here do?

I haven't the foggiest. Really. I can't understand why they don't.

I love to ride. It brings to surface innate attributes that I do not or cannot use in day to day life (not without being called a *****, troublemaker, butch, pushy, forceful, hysterical, "needing to get laid"...and the list goes on). When I ride, I can be aggressive (and not necessarily in a competitive way as I think there is a discerning line) speak up, make jokes, take risks, be highly physical, not worry about how my sex defines me (other than the fact that I do know men ARE stronger than me physically and most of them can drop me, a point I never argue with nor make men suffer for. I simply try my best to keep up and thank them when they wait for me on long climbs) and interact with BOTH sexes in an equal manner while having a blast. I also love the views and experiences I've had on a bike.

I realize I'm on this forum way too much and likely on my bike way too much. But honestly, cycling doesn't define me, but it is a defining aspect of who I am. I love it when my coworkers or friends look at me in amazement for riding 100 miles. I love it when I share my ride photos with those who don't ride, and see their reactions. I genuinely enjoy spending time with riders (some who have become my friends over the course of the past few years) and get many of my social needs met through this sport.

So, no. I personally do not know why every woman doesn't rush out and buy a bike and get out there unless there is a physical reason she can't. And if she is fearful - all the MORE reason to do it (maybe on a lesser scale than, say, Baldy - but out on a bike nonetheless).

So, Alicestrong started a very interesting thread and discussion here. I just wish more WOMEN were on this BIKE Forums to read it. :(

So, Alicestrong started a very interesting thread and discussion here. I just wish more WOMEN were on this BIKE Forums to read it. :(

They're all on the Team Estrogen (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/) women forum.

I'll visit there occasionally. But they don't make me laugh.

They're all on the Team Estrogen women forum.speaking of which I haven't been there in a while....

I will! It's Biting Duck! His bike's grottiness is legendary. He can drop us all, but at this point if he were to try clean the bike he would need permits from OSHA and the EPA.

:roflmao:

Chris, I want it noted that I didn't out you! :o And yes, BD can drop all our butts and his bike is like Pig Pen, it has a cloud of dust around it at all times. :p

This has nothing to do with womens' interest in technical topics. I would think that it would be obvious that:

1. Women don't have weenies to weigh
2. To the extent that they're interested in the topic, heavier is better, not lighter.

:roflmao:

OMG - you're on a roll today. :p

Yeah! What ME said!


:)

And Happytime! What Happytime said!

:)

They're all on the Team Estrogen (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/) women forum.

I'll visit there occasionally. But they don't make me laugh.

Yeah, and this is where I'm going to risk getting ripped a new one for again expressing this opinion, but I have ZERO interest in an all women's forum. TE bores me to death. I understand the need for one for some women, but I cannot empathize. I also have zero desire to ride with all women (excluding men).

Of course, the best mix is men and women, but that can be hard to find.

Big John has mastered it with his amazing harem of kick-ass female riders, all of whom can drop me in a heartbeat, but who cause no drama and are intelligent, funny as hell gals. I love when those women show up on the rides, even though I'm usually dropped within two minutes. :p

And Happytime! What Happytime said!

:)

You're too cheery, all of a sudden. What are you up to? :rolleyes::p

You're too cheery, all of a sudden. What are you up to? :rolleyes::p

I'm channeling mo' phat.

I'm channeling mo' phat.

No, he's just practicing his Marriage 101 techniques! ;)


TE bores me to death. I understand the need for one for some women, but I cannot empathize.

I think it's an excellent Forum for what it is - it's a more nurturing environment and they DO allow men to view and post. Simply put, very few men would want to, except George. ;) But I think it odd that the California women on there I liked the most (Trac', Brandy, Tiff, Caligurl...) were all here, too. :p

There are very knowledgeable wrenches/racers/coaches on TE, but I'm not too interested in forming online friendships with women I can't ride with.

And last but not least, one of the strongest riders (a racer whom I shall not name) has one of the dirtiest, poorest maintained bikes I've ever seen. This rider is a man and loves racing/riding in general. The maintenance of the bike has little to do with the riders passion or willingness to ride - although, yes, it can be argued that it can aid or hinder their enjoyment if they aren't careful.

You talking 'bout me? The bike is filthy but it's usually pretty well maintained where it matters.

I'm totally not a tech geek (though I do science and technology for a living). I don't much care what I ride as long as it fits well and handles well. For a long time I had mismatched mountain bike pedals on my road bike. I was actually a little shocked to find that my track bike came in 20 grams under the minimum weight limit last week-- I made no special effort to make it lightweight, and a lot of the parts are pretty old. I ended up adding tape to the top tube and seatpost to make weight.

I just like to ride and race, all kinds of riding, except I don't really like time trials that much.

i see lots of women, but no babes.

One thing for sure.....Chris is definitely not a poser like some people I know.....:p :D

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/NewsAndViews/Gender.htm

I have the same experience as the author; although these statistics (based on infinitesimal samples of the population at large) suggest a dearth of female riders, my own observation here in Los Angeles doesn't suggest that at all.