Why women don't bike-- it takes too much time?

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on June 25, 2011 at 12:03pm

Upon reading this post I was wondering how much time I spend on my bike. I have had a garmin 705/800 since March of last year. Using garmin connect's website the answers were a few clicks away.

 

Count:	396 Activities
Distance:	12,611.08 mi
Time:	837:09:35 h:m:s

Calories	833,202 C
Avg Distance:	24.89 mi

 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 25, 2011 at 12:56pm

you're my hero

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 25, 2011 at 1:44pm

Biggest issue with riding is leaving the bike locked up outside in an area that might not be safe -especially if meeting non-biking friends and having to work around their needs as to where I/we can park.

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Permalink Reply by Sara Gmitter on June 25, 2011 at 3:21pm

I'm a woman who bikes everywhere- pretty much if I'm going somewhere, I'm going by bike so I have a hard time thinking of reasons why women would bike less than men.  

I find it pretty much always takes less time than public trans.  

It's cheaper than public trans/driving

I've gotten used to carrying clothes to change into if biking attire is not appropriate for where I'm going (and since I do pin curls under my helmet I find that my hair actually looks better when I get to work than if I didn't ride).  Maybe that seems like too much of a hassle to some?  But I'd think men would have the same issue.    

I also completely feel that I'm safer on my bike at night than waiting for public trans. 

Maybe it's all perception of difficulty/safety?  

I recommend this Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast about the connection between cycling and women's liberation: http://podcasts.howstuffworks.com/hsw/podcasts/smnty/2011-05-11-smn...

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on June 25, 2011 at 7:37pm

I have to ask - are the same reasons as cited by this 'research' indicated why not as many women ride motorcycles?  Do as many women own boats?  Do as many women own jet skis? 

I think men are just more inclined to buy 'toys' then women and the bike is still perceived widely as a machine on which to have fun on the weekends - not a utility machine for practical transportation like a car is. 

As a female commuter I sense women are not as keen to get helmet hair on the way into the office - its always the men on the elevator that ask me how far I rode in - never the women. 

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Permalink Reply by Shay on June 26, 2011 at 8:56am

I think this could be part of it.  It definitely was for me.  Until I worked out a way to shower at work, I was really reluctant to commute there.  I have really short hair (pixie cut) and 16 miles with a bike helmet on makes my hair an irreparable mess.  

 

Maybe the solution is a messy, hipster-ish cut?

chixieonfixie said:

As a female commuter I sense women are not as keen to get helmet hair on the way into the office - its always the men on the elevator that ask me how far I rode in - never the women. 

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Permalink Reply by Sara Gmitter on June 26, 2011 at 6:21pm

It doesn't work for really short hair, but I'm telling you, pin curls under the bike helmet.  If you do them well, they still look good even in pin stage.  I get compliments all the time for both the before and after unpinning. Helmet hair need not stand in the way of our cycling freedom.

Shay said:

I think this could be part of it.  It definitely was for me.  Until I worked out a way to shower at work, I was really reluctant to commute there.  I have really short hair (pixie cut) and 16 miles with a bike helmet on makes my hair an irreparable mess.  

 

Maybe the solution is a messy, hipster-ish cut?

chixieonfixie said:

As a female commuter I sense women are not as keen to get helmet hair on the way into the office - its always the men on the elevator that ask me how far I rode in - never the women. 

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