Comments on: Streetsblog.net Mind the Gender Gap http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/07/01/streetsblognet-mind-the-gender-gap/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: calwatch http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/07/01/streetsblognet-mind-the-gender-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-9181 calwatch Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:21:14 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2891#comment-9181 On the other hand, as a counter point my mom has commuted to work via bicycle for some time. She doesn't arrive to work sweaty because she rides at a moderate speed, basically using the time to relax. The distance to work for her is roughly five miles. Of course, she works in the garment industry anyway, so even if she was sweaty it wouldn't matter if you are stitching clothes. I've never felt much of a connection between her and the bicycling community The bicycles she use are essentially disposable bicycles purchased on sale from the Evil Mega-Mart (tm), which the organized bicycling community frowns upon greatly. There is less investment involved so when it does inevitably get stolen, she isn't out hundreds or thousands of dollars. She rides at a slow enough speed to ride on the sidewalk, again which attracts the ire of the cycling community. I've given her a helmet before, and she doesn't use it. In reality, you see hundreds, if not thousands, of people, mostly immigrants, riding bicycles to work today in my community. The stigma of bicycling for women is no different than the stigma of walking for women, especially late at night. Although there are safety concerns, they are greater than they actually appear, and are reduced significantly if you don't get into the vehicles of strangers. Maybe we are all Southern gentlemen and think that ladies should never have to walk long distances, carry anything, or open a door themselves. The women themselves have to rise above the "stigma" that society, and to some extent they themselves, have created for them (ever been in a factory breakroom and hear conversations about why "the boyfriend" makes the woman ride the bus to work?) Looking at the comments on the Treehugger article, I have to concur with many of them that found the article condescending and patronizing. On the other hand, as a counter point my mom has commuted to work via bicycle for some time. She doesn't arrive to work sweaty because she rides at a moderate speed, basically using the time to relax. The distance to work for her is roughly five miles. Of course, she works in the garment industry anyway, so even if she was sweaty it wouldn't matter if you are stitching clothes.

I've never felt much of a connection between her and the bicycling community The bicycles she use are essentially disposable bicycles purchased on sale from the Evil Mega-Mart (tm), which the organized bicycling community frowns upon greatly. There is less investment involved so when it does inevitably get stolen, she isn't out hundreds or thousands of dollars. She rides at a slow enough speed to ride on the sidewalk, again which attracts the ire of the cycling community. I've given her a helmet before, and she doesn't use it.

In reality, you see hundreds, if not thousands, of people, mostly immigrants, riding bicycles to work today in my community. The stigma of bicycling for women is no different than the stigma of walking for women, especially late at night. Although there are safety concerns, they are greater than they actually appear, and are reduced significantly if you don't get into the vehicles of strangers. Maybe we are all Southern gentlemen and think that ladies should never have to walk long distances, carry anything, or open a door themselves. The women themselves have to rise above the "stigma" that society, and to some extent they themselves, have created for them (ever been in a factory breakroom and hear conversations about why "the boyfriend" makes the woman ride the bus to work?)

Looking at the comments on the Treehugger article, I have to concur with many of them that found the article condescending and patronizing.

]]> By: Jessica http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/07/01/streetsblognet-mind-the-gender-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-9071 Jessica Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:20:07 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2891#comment-9071 for reals? how about the idea that in the US we have been planning for bicycling for men 20-45. For the most part, planning for riders who tend to be recreation cyclists, and have no fear - it does not appear to me at all that bike planning since the 70's has been about transportation. The powerful lobby of vehicular cyclists and John Forrestor school of thought, and the car, has made limitations on who cycles not based on gender but based on comfort level, and willingness to ride in (sometimes hardcore) traffic. How about bike planning for all riders - young, old, whoever - so that some of our trips (1/2 of which are under 5 miles) can be taken by people who want to bike and doesn't require tons of bravery. In my perspective, safety issues – whether perceived or real – is what is keeping people from using their bike as transportation – not fashion. Lack of planning and investment in safe streets for all modes is what is keeping people from using their bike as transportation. So many people realize the wonders of bicycle as a means of transportation - from all backgrounds - I'd love to see more diversity in our perspectives as a whole in transportation. Liked this statement on 50 car pile up blog, "I’d prefer to read blogs that actually dig a little into transportation policy and politics." Totally – and about the impacts of transportation on our communities. wow, this kinda really got my blood boiling (and I did wear a skirt on my ride to work today - hah!) for reals? how about the idea that in the US we have been planning for bicycling for men 20-45. For the most part, planning for riders who tend to be recreation cyclists, and have no fear - it does not appear to me at all that bike planning since the 70's has been about transportation. The powerful lobby of vehicular cyclists and John Forrestor school of thought, and the car, has made limitations on who cycles not based on gender but based on comfort level, and willingness to ride in (sometimes hardcore) traffic.

How about bike planning for all riders - young, old, whoever - so that some of our trips (1/2 of which are under 5 miles) can be taken by people who want to bike and doesn't require tons of bravery. In my perspective, safety issues – whether perceived or real – is what is keeping people from using their bike as transportation – not fashion. Lack of planning and investment in safe streets for all modes is what is keeping people from using their bike as transportation.

So many people realize the wonders of bicycle as a means of transportation - from all backgrounds - I'd love to see more diversity in our perspectives as a whole in transportation.

Liked this statement on 50 car pile up blog, "I’d prefer to read blogs that actually dig a little into transportation policy and politics." Totally – and about the impacts of transportation on our communities. wow, this kinda really got my blood boiling (and I did wear a skirt on my ride to work today - hah!)

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