Count me as one of the enlightened Step Through riders, who have discovered many of the advantages of using a Step Through frame.

I never did have the whole Women’s vs. Men’s bike hang up anyway though… in the area I grew up in, you just road what your family could afford, some of the toughest guys I knew rode so-called girls bikes.

I ride a U frame, and a Mixte… I really like the U-frame for everyday utility riding, and the Mixte is set up more like a road bike.
For hauling heavy loads on the rear rack, or panniers, with a lot of start and stop riding… you just can’t beat the convenience of a Step through. Especially if you have a replacement hip, and limited range of motion in your other hip; as I do…

I wish more bicycle manufactures would get with the times and market more Step Through Trekking/utility style bikes in the U.S.A for men. There would probably be a significant market for them, if they dropped the gender bias marketing…