[QUOTE=snow_echo_NY;17782068]I want to say for me at least, the distance from my brakes to the bar is really quite big for me. i would want my brakes closer to the bar as my hands can easily slip under the brakes but not as easily on top of the brakes. i think that's the design idea, b/c my husband's is similar in proportion for his grip but i can't help feel like this is not great for (at least) my grip, maybe other women feel the same.
I agree with the brake-to-bar distance being an issue, particularly on bikes with drops. In traffic situations I like having my fingers on the brake levers while riding, and that is uncomfortable for me on drop bar bikes. So, I tend to gravitate towards bikes with flat bars.
I try to get involved in city-planning public meetings and push for more bike lanes, but ideally more towns would invest in the separated bike lanes. That would make me feel comfortable biking with kids.