Check out these rad women cyclists gearing up to take the lane
Check out these rad women cyclists gearing up to take the lane
There’s a lot to feel terrible about lately. I mean, you saw that Keystone pipeline environmental impact report from the State Department, right? You forgot? Oh no, don’t cry! Look, here’s something to feel good about: The National Women’s Bicycling Forum in Washington, D.C., today is championing ladies who ride.
Female bikers still make up a small minority of cyclists — they accounted for less than one-quarter of all bike trips in 2009 — and Women Bike is determined to change that. “As the energy and momentum around women cycling grows nationwide, we need to share our collective knowledge, build a network of female leaders and start working on targeted programs that put more women in the saddle and at the forefront of the movement,” writes Women Bike. “Women Bike will empower more women to bicycle and become engaged in the diverse leadership opportunities of the bicycle movement — as advocates, engineers, retailers, manufacturers and policy makers — through networking, knowledge sharing, resources and inspiration.”
Earlier last month, Women Bike released a report about the economic impact of ladies on two wheels. “Though underrepresented in many aspects of the bicycle movement, there’s growing evidence that women hold the purse strings when it comes to the future success of the bike industry,” they wrote.
If you’re the boundary-busting lady already navigating the sea of cycling dudes, or an aspiring one nervous about starting up, get some support. Check out the #womenbike tweets for feel-good inspiration and facts on women and biking, some group therapy sessions on how badly women are treated at bike shops, important thoughts on women of color as a cycling contingent (all love for Ovarian Psycos), a burlesque bike dancing show, and some inspired calls for action.
Women Bike aims to make women riders half the biking population by 2050. Get it, girls.
Susie Cagle writes and draws news for Grist. She also writes and draws tweets for
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Check out these rad women cyclists gearing up to take the lane
