ECDkeys

So I've now made it through two Wisconsin winters as a bike commuter, and I'm about to enter the third wickedly humid summer here. It's transformed me in so many ways. But of course, you all know that from your own personal experience.

Anyway, what I'm noticing obviously is a rise in the number of bike commuters. But not just that. In general everyone has grown more fit. I'm not talking about a new population of Lance Armstrongs, but people of all sizes and body types resisting stereotypes and not only riding, but riding effectively and efficiently. It's a great time for cyclists (at least in this bike friendly town). Hopefully, this will trickle down into the more bike challenged communities.

capolover

Yeah, and i'd say it's up to the older, more experienced rides like yourself to help keep people enthusiastic and install good biking habits.

pinkrobe

It is getting better. I see a lot more guys in their 40's and 50's riding than I used to. Unfortunately, I don't see many women commuting. They appear to be making up about 10% of the commuting population, but they are a larger part of the local bike scene. Where are they?

girljen

I've noticed that, too. All of my bike commuting coworkers are male, and most of the serious inquiries as to how I started bike commuting are male, too. Being a female bike commuter, I honestly can't see why more women don't do it.

Back to the OP, I really do like seeing bike commuter traffic on the MUP. I love seeing fit, happy people with loaded panniers!

GO_Vegan

I have a few guesses about this:
1. bike culture can be very male-oriented and exclusionary. It isn't always, but it can feel very intimidating if you are new.
2. If a family has children, it is much more likely that a female partner will be the one driving the kids around, thus tying her to her big metal coffin.

Anybody else have any ideas?

capolover

i know a ton of girls in raleigh that bike, but they don't really commute.

envane

1) more complex clothes/grooming requirements making biking a bigger hassle.
2) fear of become a crime victim while biking
3) more timid, never get over fear of riding on the road "with all those crazy drivers".

savethekudzu

Maybe 15% of the commuters I see in Durham are female. My guess is the actual stat is higher as you get closer to Duke, and lower as you get closer to Research Triangle Park and away from the city center.

coldfeet

Have to disagree here, The commuters on Nose Creek Pathway are at least 30% Female. Or so it seems, maybe I just notice them more?

EDIT: I did a quick count Friday on the way home, 9 Female, 31 Male. I was a little off, 29%

thirdin77

I think a lot of women are intimidated by the mechanical complexity and the skill required to ride a bike- on the street. Sure, anyone can take the bike to the bike path and then ride it there, but riding on the street requires its own set of skills and comfort level, all of which have to be learned.

I think that women-specific bike commuting courses, taught by women, would make the activity seem less of a male activity and more one for both genders.

This shows one of the big differences between owning and street-operating a motor vehicle and do so with a bicycle; the convention is that the former requires education and training, whereas the other doesn't. This is significant as education and training give an individual confidence and ability whereas ignorance gives the opposite. Educate and train them and many will start riding on the streets.

genec

Well this is going to sound rather sexist, but the division between sexes can be as simple as "hair."

Guys don't have to do much more then run a comb or brush through their hair and call it a day. Many women have a whole hair care ritual that isn't very tolerant of a sweaty bike ride or the lack of certain power tools (hairdryer).

Until our society is comfortable with either woman riding a bike in street clothes to the office, or easy care hairdos, we aren't likely to see a big jump in women commuters.

ironhorse3

I can see that, but the same can be true for many men who might have high maintenance hair styles. For me, having lost some of mine, it's a breeze. Keep it really short.

My daughter commutes and rides everywhere not having a car. My commuting is a grand total of about 10 days so far (seems like much longer, but having a great time at it just as well). She was an inspiration to me and is actually much more fit looking than I. She has a very simple hairstyle, keeping it back in a bun.

drjava

Are you in Madison? I rode year round there back in the mid '80's. There were only a few wicked days during the winter when I didn't ride. Snow and ice can be a blast.

cdalefan

Still a little off- that's only 22.5 %

pinkrobe

My route in is 100% on the road. Maybe being on the paths changes the demographic?

kbblodorn

Out of curiosity, does anyone (male or female) on this board have particularly high-maintenance hair care needs? For me, I keep my hair short so that I barely need to touch it. My office shower kit consists of a bar of soap, small bottle of shampoo, and a deodorant stick. It takes less than fifteen minutes to shower and dress after my ride. I'm sure whatever the requirements, though, there's a way to make it work...

baillieul

Definate fewer female commuters here in Halifax. The biggest surprise to me is that many of the regulars are older ( like me ).

capolover

I have pretty long hair, mang.
and I take good care of it.

It's kind of a mix of a mod hair cut, with some hipster asymetrical business going on. Sweat band is a must during commutes! haha.

I think it depends on where you live. There are a lot of metro men in bigger cities who take care of their looks and might have high energy hair. And there are a lot of girls with short hair who wear crappy clothing in my town. It goes both way.

bobcrotch

Two of my good friends who happen to both be women have been commuting for years. One of them doesn't even drive, at all (by choice). There are also 2 women I work with who have commuted for a few years. But really, the ratio is pretty low as far as women to men. I wouldn't say it's a gender thing but more of an American cultural thing. Unless women are sports oriented, or outdoor oriented it seems like they turn their nose up to things like cycling. This also goes the same for men though. Luckily for me I live in the PACNW, so both of those attributes are common place in both sexes!

OTH I agree too. I have seen a whole heck of a lot more people commuting recently. I'll have to take my camera to work on a nice day and take a picture of the stuffed full bike rack :> The interesting part is that there is quite a range of bikes and people who ride. It seems that normally folks who are 25-30 tend to have a nicer performance oriented hybrid or a decent road bike. Other than that there are about 2 or 3 spankin' new comfort bikes which are owned by the 40-50 year old crowd. There is also a vast range of (I'm assuming) fitness levels, or body types. There are a few hardcore roadies who commute 30 miles a day and then ride 50+ miles on the weekends. But on the opposite end there are just normal people who live close enough and would rather ride, money, fitness, or just for the love of it I'm not sure. But it really makes me happy to see this.

Riding your bike to work or even to the store is a pretty big life style change for a lot of folks. Not everyone actually loves riding or is passionate about it. I have a lot of respect for the people who make the choice to do so for their health and pocket book.