There's a Biking Gender Gap. And It Has a Real Economic Impact.

"The whole world opens up to you," Gavin said of her own experience biking. "It's a liberating thing."

Worth a read if you've got a moment.

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Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on December 9, 2014 at 1:16pm

I know the study wasn't primarily based in Chicago, but if it was, I'd argue that 9 times out of 10, time would be faster on a bike rather than slower(lack of time).

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 10, 2014 at 4:59am

The issue of carrying cargo is real if you try to replicate your car lifestyle on a bike.  You really can't buy two weeks worth of groceries and carry them home on most bikes.

This is why I got a cargo trailer when I moved to a location where I don't have a grocery store within walking distance.

Permalink Reply by The Korn on December 10, 2014 at 10:26am

Can't read without a link to the article.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on December 10, 2014 at 10:30am

Click HERE or click the "worth a read" in the original post.

The Korn said:

Can't read without a link to the article.

Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on December 11, 2014 at 2:31pm

There maybe something more than logic as to why the percentage of women riding is smaller.  It may be seen as "not lady-like", or only "tom-boys" ride. Or a matter of personal safety.  One sees many older Hispanic men toddling along on their bikes, but relatively few older Hispanic women.  Or older Italian men with fishing poles and a puffing a cigar as they bike - but very, very few older Italian-descent women.  Many years ago, circa. 1968, I had a bunch of little 10 year old hodlums chasing and throwing rocks at me on Ogden (where it used to go over the river and then I could glide all the way to Clark Street).  I was going home uphill - and I was terrified.  Biking might be perceived as being exposed to public view.  

I can still hear my mother saying, "Oh, Naaannnn - I hate seeing you ride (or walk) at night."     

Also, I used a modified Burley trailer -but 19 out of 20 times it's a guy (young or old!) who comes over and "admires" it.

Nancy 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on December 11, 2014 at 3:45pm
Thank you for sharing Nancy. Everything you said makes sense to me. It is obvious that things are different for women. Most Moms today are in their huge Suvs

Nancy L. Fagin said:

There maybe something more than logic as to why the percentage of women riding is smaller.  It may be seen as "not lady-like", or only "tom-boys" ride. Or a matter of personal safety.  One sees many older Hispanic men toddling along on their bikes, but relatively few older Hispanic women.  Or older Italian men with fishing poles and a puffing a cigar as they bike - but very, very few older Italian-descent women.  Many years ago, circa. 1968, I had a bunch of little 10 year old hodlums chasing and throwing rocks at me on Ogden (where it used to go over the river and then I could glide all the way to Clark Street).  I was going home uphill - and I was terrified.  Biking might be perceived as being exposed to public view.  

I can still hear my mother saying, "Oh, Naaannnn - I hate seeing you ride (or walk) at night."     

Also, I used a modified Burley trailer -but 19 out of 20 times it's a guy (young or old!) who comes over and "admires" it.

Nancy 

Permalink Reply by Jon Cunningham on December 11, 2014 at 6:43pm

My wife says similar things as Nancy's last few lines. Women just are not safe alone in places that many men ride alone (if the men even are). I was thinking about that recently while riding a long deserted stretch of the Centennial Trail from Willow Springs to Lemont, on a weekday. The place is creepy if you are not doing at least 15-20 mph. I'm in no way a gun advocate, but trails like that make a good case for cyclists being armed.

Permalink Reply by M G on December 12, 2014 at 7:44am

I agree with Nancy's sentiment, as well as that of the article that women may face more harrassment on bikes. I've heard from friends and it has been my own experience that there can be a lot of name calling, particularly about your body. Biking (vs. driving) is certainly more "exposed to pubic view" in that sense.

I ride to and from work and know that there is a man who shouts at me out his car window every.single.day. Usually it is "Hey baby!" I have his license plate number written down, but it is really scary to know he knows where and when I'll be in about the same place every day. 

This quote from the article stuck out to me the most:

"In the United States, women's travel patterns tend to be significantly more complex than men's, making it more difficult to accomplish daily tasks on a bicycle. Women take an additional 110 short trips from home per year compared with men, and even in two-worker households, women still make twice as many trips to drop off and pick up children as men (66 percent versus 34 percent), according to research from 2005."

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on December 12, 2014 at 8:55am

A child seat or a trailer for child(ren) a rear or front rack to carry more stuff.

Unless you live in a rural area or have to go shopping for the week for a family of 4 how much stuff do you need to carry on a bike?

The pic shows a women riding in heals that can't be safe or practical? Comfort is a big deterrent.

 

Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on December 12, 2014 at 6:08pm

One other observation.  As a frequent user of the post office - everyone knows me by my helmet, green jacket and old Schwinn bicycle and trailer - I have handed out dozen of Chicago bike maps to the women clerks, even bicycle catalogues - sure, you want to look at a bike...Here's a catalogue, see what is the best match for you, etc.  Even offered to let the clerks try my small frame bike ust to get the feel of it. They rememeber riding as girls, but are very hesitant to ride as adults.  I tell them, they don't have to be training for the Tour de France, just jumping on a bike to get a gallon of milk is a good start.  

When one clerk mentioned the "beautiful pink bike at Walmart", my heart did sort of sink - but at least she was thinking about making the "jump".

Nancy

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on December 13, 2014 at 1:07am

Jennifer on the lake said:

Sometimes I think women just can't win.

Women have to win. That's the only way we can save civilization. When women have equal rights, the society thrives. Conversely, in places where women are treated like property, people live in the stone age. Just look around. 

You cannot suppress 50% of your population and hope to move forward, regardless of the size or power of your country or the merits of your otherwise hypocritical ideals.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men (but not women or naggers) are created equal.

It wasn't until 1920 that women finally got the right to vote in this country. I'm hopeful our next president will be a woman and that she will be re-elected, which would be a fitting tribute to the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment to our constitution.

This cracks my daughter up every time I say it; You go girl!


Permalink Reply by Nancy Sreenan on December 13, 2014 at 3:42am

Besides having to decide whether to dress as a male or female while biking, don't forget the double standard once women arrive at work. Women are also held to a higher standard when it comes to dressing for work. That can be a deterrent to choosing to bike. (Hat hair, perspiration...eeeek!) Luckily there are more companies that are making performance wear that doesn't scream workout  wear.

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