Why so few (relatively speaking) female cyclists?
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Why so few (relatively speaking) female cyclists?
It's pretty clear that women compose a higher % of joggers than they do of cyclists. Why is that?
Both are variable intensity exercises, and it even seems easier to dial down cycling effort than running effort, so I don't think the muscle exertion or heart work required drive the difference.
Cycling is considerably more expensive than running, but the compensation disparity between men and women doesn't seem large enough to account for the difference.
Is it simply that women (generalization, so no offense to the female wrenches) don't want to deal with the mechanical work required in maintaining/fixing a bike? Of course, there are guys who run to the LBS everytime they need something done on the bike, but there are many who do their own maintenance and at least some of the repair/upgrade work.
Or maybe fear of traffic? This would potentially apply to parks as well, since you might need to ride in traffic to get to the park. Guys are just as likely (or more so given their greater propensity for foolish risk-taking) to get hit by a car, but maybe we worry less about this risk?
Ladies, why is it that more of your female friends don't bike?
I am genuinely asking the question, so please let's not bog the thread down with posts saying "I bike" (I know you do, else you wouldn't be in this forum), or complaining that I'm generalizing (which of course I am, but it is an empirically-based generalization). I, for one, would love to see more female cyclists on the roads.
Both are variable intensity exercises, and it even seems easier to dial down cycling effort than running effort, so I don't think the muscle exertion or heart work required drive the difference.
Cycling is considerably more expensive than running, but the compensation disparity between men and women doesn't seem large enough to account for the difference.
Is it simply that women (generalization, so no offense to the female wrenches) don't want to deal with the mechanical work required in maintaining/fixing a bike? Of course, there are guys who run to the LBS everytime they need something done on the bike, but there are many who do their own maintenance and at least some of the repair/upgrade work.
Or maybe fear of traffic? This would potentially apply to parks as well, since you might need to ride in traffic to get to the park. Guys are just as likely (or more so given their greater propensity for foolish risk-taking) to get hit by a car, but maybe we worry less about this risk?
Ladies, why is it that more of your female friends don't bike?
I am genuinely asking the question, so please let's not bog the thread down with posts saying "I bike" (I know you do, else you wouldn't be in this forum), or complaining that I'm generalizing (which of course I am, but it is an empirically-based generalization). I, for one, would love to see more female cyclists on the roads.
Last edited by serpico7; 10-03-06 at 02:18 PM.
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even less support at the grass roots level for girls and women entering the sport?
a 'part-time' LBS i ride out of during the summer started up a women's group, alongside their normal group ride every saturday morning.
by all accounts it's been a huge success, with 8-10+ women showing up every week, plus a few other women who rode with the 'normal' group. before that, you'd be lucky if 2 women showed up at all.
the overly macho attitude (just read BF.net ) doesn't help much either.
just speculatin'
a 'part-time' LBS i ride out of during the summer started up a women's group, alongside their normal group ride every saturday morning.
by all accounts it's been a huge success, with 8-10+ women showing up every week, plus a few other women who rode with the 'normal' group. before that, you'd be lucky if 2 women showed up at all.
the overly macho attitude (just read BF.net ) doesn't help much either.
just speculatin'
Last edited by botto; 10-03-06 at 02:23 PM.
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Know what would make for an entertaining thread....a big group of guys second-guessing why more women don't ride bicycles.
Then all it would take is 1-2 women to come in and blow most everyones' theories out of the water.
Ahh...good times.
Ok, who's gonna start.....
Then all it would take is 1-2 women to come in and blow most everyones' theories out of the water.
Ahh...good times.
Ok, who's gonna start.....
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I think the perceived risks of riding in traffic (and therefore fear of traffic) are a big factor. I went to a women's cycling seminar last month and all of the other women at my table basically had the same reason for not riding much - they thought riding on the roads was dangerous. Most of their discussion was about where they could ride using off road bikepaths.
When I told them all my riding took place on narrow rural roads, they looked at me in shock and basically all of them asked "aren't you scared?"
Ok, this is based on a tiny sample (9 women at a table of 10) but I would venture to say it is a pretty prevalent attitude.
I don't think dealing with the mechanical side of things is a big turn-off - as you said, there are a lot of guys out there who run to their LBS at the first sign of a problem rather than deal with it themselves.
I don't think it's the macho attitude of some males cyclists that is a turn-off so much as a lack of women's riding groups where you can all get together and moan about problems that guys just don't have - like what do you do when you have your period.
When I told them all my riding took place on narrow rural roads, they looked at me in shock and basically all of them asked "aren't you scared?"
Ok, this is based on a tiny sample (9 women at a table of 10) but I would venture to say it is a pretty prevalent attitude.
I don't think dealing with the mechanical side of things is a big turn-off - as you said, there are a lot of guys out there who run to their LBS at the first sign of a problem rather than deal with it themselves.
I don't think it's the macho attitude of some males cyclists that is a turn-off so much as a lack of women's riding groups where you can all get together and moan about problems that guys just don't have - like what do you do when you have your period.
Last edited by matagi; 10-03-06 at 02:42 PM.
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Originally Posted by botto
even less support at the grass roots level for girls and women entering the sport?
the overly macho attitude (just read BF.net ) doesn't help much either.
the overly macho attitude (just read BF.net ) doesn't help much either.
Are male runners any less macho than male cyclists?
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I think cyclists' tend to have a bit more of an elitist ego than runners, from what I've seen (and have done both).
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There are tons of women out of my local bike shop, but they all ride tri-athlon bikes.
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Originally Posted by matagi
I think the perceived risks of riding in traffic (and therefore fear of traffic) are a big factor. I went to a women's cycling seminar last month and all of the other women at my table basically had the same reason for not riding much - they thought riding on the roads was dangerous. Most of their discussion was about where they could ride using off road bikepaths.
When I told them all my riding took place on narrow rural roads, they looked at me in shock and basically all of them asked "aren't you scared?"
Ok, this is based on a tiny sample (9 women at a table of 10) but I would venture to say it is a pretty prevalent attitude.
When I told them all my riding took place on narrow rural roads, they looked at me in shock and basically all of them asked "aren't you scared?"
Ok, this is based on a tiny sample (9 women at a table of 10) but I would venture to say it is a pretty prevalent attitude.
If the perceived risk of riding in traffic is holding women back, then maybe the larger cycling groups should have more seminars/clinics focused on this? If the feedback in this forum is somewhat consistent on this point as it relates to their non-cycling female friends, maybe those of us in cycling groups can volunteer to run a clinic on how to safely ride in traffic? I'd certainly do this for the group I'm in. Anything to get more ladies on the road (since I'm spending a lot of time on the road instead of the bar, it's in my self-interest to get more potential dates on the road)!
Last edited by serpico7; 10-03-06 at 02:49 PM.
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I gotta start riding where you guys are; around here (NYC) I am always outnumbered by women on the group rides.
(On second thought, I'll stay right here, nevermind!)
(On second thought, I'll stay right here, nevermind!)
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Ditto.
I think that fear of traffic/riding back roads alone scares quite a few women off. Most women I know rarely, if ever, will go off and ride by themselves. I think women, as a whole, value the camaraderie of a group.
I think that fear of traffic/riding back roads alone scares quite a few women off. Most women I know rarely, if ever, will go off and ride by themselves. I think women, as a whole, value the camaraderie of a group.
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Originally Posted by Bob Ross
I gotta start riding where you guys are; around here (NYC) I am always outnumbered by women on the group rides.
Last edited by botto; 10-03-06 at 03:01 PM.
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Originally Posted by botto
you ride with NYCC, right? that probably explains it.
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Originally Posted by Bob Ross
You betcha!
Anyway, I wasn't just referring to group rides. Even in Central Park, the ratio of male:female cyclists is much greater than the ratio of male:female joggers.
Last edited by serpico7; 10-03-06 at 03:10 PM.
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Women don't seem to mind cycling, if it is in a triathalon.
The Mount Diablo Challenge (cycling), a 10.8 mile hill climb on a closed road had 957 participants, 89 of whom were women (9.3%)
https://www.doitsports.com/newresults...4590_2006.html
The Triathalons are roughly 50% female. Check the Tri's at this site:
https://www.doitsports.com/groups/res...l?group_id=105
It makes little sense. People for the most part do Tri despite the swimming, not because of it. In going tri they add swimming which they don't like, and cycling which they also avoid. Put them together, however, and they hop on a bike and jump in the water. I doubt we will hear a rational explanation for this.
The Mount Diablo Challenge (cycling), a 10.8 mile hill climb on a closed road had 957 participants, 89 of whom were women (9.3%)
https://www.doitsports.com/newresults...4590_2006.html
The Triathalons are roughly 50% female. Check the Tri's at this site:
https://www.doitsports.com/groups/res...l?group_id=105
It makes little sense. People for the most part do Tri despite the swimming, not because of it. In going tri they add swimming which they don't like, and cycling which they also avoid. Put them together, however, and they hop on a bike and jump in the water. I doubt we will hear a rational explanation for this.
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I don't think a fear of traffic or a lack of mechanical aptitude has much to do with it.
Bingo. Then it becomes a chicken-and-egg thing. Girls don't see opportunities to take up the sport (few teams or clubs at the highschool level), and don't see women competing at all at the pro level.
...can of worms opening...
Body image could play a part. When I tell coworkers or acquaintences that I'm a cyclist, the women almost always cringe a little bit and say, "Okay, I gotta ask -- Do you wear those shorts???" I just smile and say "Sure do!" I suppose guys get a similar treatment from other guys about the whole leg-shaving question.
Originally Posted by botto
even less support at the grass roots level for girls and women entering the sport
...can of worms opening...
Body image could play a part. When I tell coworkers or acquaintences that I'm a cyclist, the women almost always cringe a little bit and say, "Okay, I gotta ask -- Do you wear those shorts???" I just smile and say "Sure do!" I suppose guys get a similar treatment from other guys about the whole leg-shaving question.
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I once asked I woman I worked with why she preferred jogging over cycling. She said her doctor recommended jogging over cycling because it was a weight bearing activity, and better for maintaining bone density.
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There are a considerably lower percentage of women athletes than men in general. But... I think the deal with cycling is women, at least many of them, dont like machines and dont want to learn abotu them. When ou ride a bike ou take a chance on the road of getting a flat or having something break down and being stuck many miles from home. The girl I ride with has no interest in learning how to change a flat, even though I tell her she needs to learn.
Also, I know some girls are scared of being on the road with cars. I also know guys who are scared, but again... its reducing the number.
These are just possibly some other explainations on top of the expense.
Also, I know some girls are scared of being on the road with cars. I also know guys who are scared, but again... its reducing the number.
These are just possibly some other explainations on top of the expense.
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Originally Posted by katie
Bingo. Then it becomes a chicken-and-egg thing. Girls don't see opportunities to take up the sport (few teams or clubs at the highschool level), and don't see women competing at all at the pro level.
...can of worms opening...
Body image could play a part. When I tell coworkers or acquaintences that I'm a cyclist, the women almost always cringe a little bit and say, "Okay, I gotta ask -- Do you wear those shorts???" I just smile and say "Sure do!" I suppose guys get a similar treatment from other guys about the whole leg-shaving question.
...can of worms opening...
Body image could play a part. When I tell coworkers or acquaintences that I'm a cyclist, the women almost always cringe a little bit and say, "Okay, I gotta ask -- Do you wear those shorts???" I just smile and say "Sure do!" I suppose guys get a similar treatment from other guys about the whole leg-shaving question.
In the past year, here are some of the bike related things I've seen specifically for women:
- Group Cycling Skills Clinic
- Bike Mechanics Classes
- Road Racing Club Recruiting
- Organized Rides
- Cyclocross Recruiting
- Bikes, Jerseys, and other equipment
Hell, I've even heard rumors that there is some kind of top secret women's forum right here on bikeforums.net.
In the past year, here is a complete list of the bike related things I remember seeing specifically for men:
- A BF thread about how to pee off from a moving bike.
As for the body image, I don't see how spandex tights are any easier for a male to wear than a female. As far as traditional gender roles go, I don't think tight pants and tight velcro shoes are considered masculine these days.
I've seen much more effort to bring women into cycling than men. I don't have a problem with this, but I do disagree with the sentiment that "the reason we don't see more women in cycling is that there is no effort made to include them".
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Originally Posted by GuitarWizard
I think cyclists' tend to have a bit more of an elitist ego than runners, from what I've seen (and have done both).
Agreed!!
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Originally Posted by serpico7
I'm in NYC; which level NYCC rides are you doing?
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Originally Posted by ranger5oh
Also, I know some girls are scared of being on the road with cars. I also know guys who are scared, but again... its reducing the number.
Jerks in cars view cyclists as easy targets. And if you're a female cyclist, you're smaller and weaker (in general), making you a much easier target.
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As a female cyclists even I don't know why there are so few female cyclists. My best guess is that it seems scary to ride in traffic or to descend a hill fast or to ride with that many men with few females to chat with.
Maybe it's just not a traditional sport that women are inclined to participate in . It made sense to me to ride, but some people think I'm a little nuts.
Maybe it's just not a traditional sport that women are inclined to participate in . It made sense to me to ride, but some people think I'm a little nuts.
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All cyclist whether male or female seem a little nuts, from non-cyclist's points of view.
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I'm trying to get my GF to ride with me. She thinks all the bikes are ugly and only wants to ride a silly pink beach cruiser. I even point out a nice Trek Hybrid that looks beautiful to me, and she's all 'i hate that color'. I follow it up with 'That beach cruiser only has one gear, and with that geometry all you can do is ride around a flat bike path at 5 miles an hour.' her: 'So?' me: 'Well its a lot more fun to go faster and climb hills and stuff'. her: 'whatever'
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Originally Posted by Mordy
I'm trying to get my GF to ride with me. She thinks all the bikes are ugly and only wants to ride a silly pink beach cruiser. I even point out a nice Trek Hybrid that looks beautiful to me, and she's all 'i hate that color'. I follow it up with 'That beach cruiser only has one gear, and with that geometry all you can do is ride around a flat bike path at 5 miles an hour.' her: 'So?' me: 'Well its a lot more fun to go faster and climb hills and stuff'. her: 'whatever'