snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
POC? Please explain
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Diversity in Cycling
- Thread starter Heltor Chasca
- Start date
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Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
I think you can close the thread now.
vickster
Legendary Member
People/person of colour I thinkPOC? Please explain
Moodyman
Legendary Member
If people have no interest in cycling, they will not cycle. No matter their colour, gender, etc.
If you want to encourage BAME and females, then the best thing to do is offer words of encouragement when you see someone pedalling.
I fit the usual stereotype - male, white collar, aged 40+. But, I ain't white. Thanks to the recent warm spell, I'm very brown.
I face more questions from the South Asian community than anyone else.These range from bemusement ("why?") to wow ("I could never do that").
There is a wonderful group of Asian ladies near me who organise Breeze rides. They have featured in Cycling UK and have been supported by Isla Rowntree of Islabikes. Look them up: 'Hopon.bike'.
Another group train children: 'Onnabike.com'
Of course, there is 'BoB' posted upthread.
So, those that want to cycle, are riding their bikes.
If you want to encourage BAME and females, then the best thing to do is offer words of encouragement when you see someone pedalling.
I fit the usual stereotype - male, white collar, aged 40+. But, I ain't white. Thanks to the recent warm spell, I'm very brown.
I face more questions from the South Asian community than anyone else.These range from bemusement ("why?") to wow ("I could never do that").
There is a wonderful group of Asian ladies near me who organise Breeze rides. They have featured in Cycling UK and have been supported by Isla Rowntree of Islabikes. Look them up: 'Hopon.bike'.
Another group train children: 'Onnabike.com'
Of course, there is 'BoB' posted upthread.
So, those that want to cycle, are riding their bikes.
Just my perception of who I meet on various rides I go on and the numbers of people you see out cycling in different areas in and around the city.
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
It's much easier to be it if you see it.
Anyone who doesn't feel they fit naturally into the demographic of whatever activity will feel self conscious.
Maybe like they're not welcome, or as if they have to prove their worth to participate.
If those from the dominant culture.. In the case of cycling pale and male, don't recognise this, and actually make an effort to not be part of the problem, then they are signalling that they don't really give much of a sh*t about inclusiveness.
In the case of many women, its also a case of giving themselves permission to have time off to persue a leisure activity.
This isn't helped by them often being expected to fulfil more of the caring roles, on top of paid work, with the triple whammy of often being paid less, so having less money to spend on kit etc.
Guys are generally better at ring fencing, and feeling entitled to their leisure time, either alone, or with their bros.
Add on top of that the heightened risk (perceived or otherwise) of hassle by 'bad guys' against women, or poc.
It all adds up to an unhealthy mix of disincentives.
Inclusivity projects can help to a certain extent.
But if that's not backed up by a general change of attitude in wider society, then participation from non trad groups will be slow to increase .
Everyone should feel as entitled to take up relative low cost activities, such as cycling.
The reasons they don't join in, are complex, but a good starting place to find out why, is to ask those groups themselves.
Anyone who doesn't feel they fit naturally into the demographic of whatever activity will feel self conscious.
Maybe like they're not welcome, or as if they have to prove their worth to participate.
If those from the dominant culture.. In the case of cycling pale and male, don't recognise this, and actually make an effort to not be part of the problem, then they are signalling that they don't really give much of a sh*t about inclusiveness.
In the case of many women, its also a case of giving themselves permission to have time off to persue a leisure activity.
This isn't helped by them often being expected to fulfil more of the caring roles, on top of paid work, with the triple whammy of often being paid less, so having less money to spend on kit etc.
Guys are generally better at ring fencing, and feeling entitled to their leisure time, either alone, or with their bros.
Add on top of that the heightened risk (perceived or otherwise) of hassle by 'bad guys' against women, or poc.
It all adds up to an unhealthy mix of disincentives.
Inclusivity projects can help to a certain extent.
But if that's not backed up by a general change of attitude in wider society, then participation from non trad groups will be slow to increase .
Everyone should feel as entitled to take up relative low cost activities, such as cycling.
The reasons they don't join in, are complex, but a good starting place to find out why, is to ask those groups themselves.
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
They do say cycling is the new golf.
I played golf for years and went to play in Portugal every Spring with a docker, a bin man and a solicitor.
Another perception blown away
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
They do say cycling is the new golf.
I played golf for years and went to play in Portugal every Spring with a docker, a bin man and a solicitor.
Another perception blown away
I've never played golf.
Tbh I've never seen the attraction of chasing a ball big, or small, about the place.
But I've always assumed golf must be amaazing.
Cos, all the richest people seem to play it ...
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
I do the same, but we have a pretty diverse group of cyclists in our town. Not necessarily in the clubs and organized cycling, mind, but those people are of a mindset that seeks sameness, and an echo chamber of similar views. So I work in a bicycle co-op, and also buy parts there, helping to provide cash funds, and parts for my many bikes. There are plenty of people, kids and adults, who cycle in my town. Many need help keeping their bikes on the road. But I am proud to say that I am seeing an improvement in the level of the bikes ridden for work and transportation, as I see many of them around the multi-billion dollar company I work at. I think that f we are going to keep on spending what we spend to keep this economic system going, the very least we can do is help provide a bike for people who cannot afford a car to get to work. Now mind, I am speaking for the States, with little in the form of guaranteed health care or an effective minimum wage law or really any workers' rights when the day is done.
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
On another, contrasting note, I might also say that I see kids' bike in very dire condition, every time I go to the co-op. Can't people take time out to check over their kids' bicycle and make sure it is safe to ride? Part of this is the fault of Wal*Mart and the pi** poor bikes they sell. But a part of parental responsibility is making sure your kids are safe as well. Seems like a bare minimum to have a look at their bike now and again.
OP
OP
Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
It was a question not a statement, but in answer to your question: I guess my (very vague) objective is to be a more inclusive white, 45 year old. Rather than choose what I think is the best approach, without consultation, I would rather get feedback from POC, BAME and females on how they would like me to be inclusive.
The last thing I want to do is patronise anybody or mistakenly fall into the tokenism trap. I can’t think of anything more humiliating.
My experience in Africa showed me that learning an indigenous language and adherence to certain cultural differences when socialising and working with Africans broke down barriers almost instantaneously. At the time I was a young man and I earned more genuine respect than I have in any other situation I have experienced. And it was completely natural, organic and enriching.
Obviously I can’t apply quite the same approach here in the U.K.
I would think ideas and answers will only come to me from people in these ethnic minorities or people who work with these groups. Down here in Somerset it is very white until you go to Bristol, so I am going to struggle in that respect. I ran the first control for an Audax that started in Bristol and there was a good representation from minority groups which made me pleased. I emailed our chair with my observations and asked how we can repeat this inclusion. But due to the relaxed approach found in Audax, he was unsure how the event managed to draw people in from these groups on this occasion.
Do we have any POC, BAME, or female forumites on C.C. who can help me with their ideas?
OP
OP
Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
I should also add that my experience of playing a lot of sport in Africa taught me that Africans are amazing athletes and if you follow any of the teams from SA or Ruanda (and more) it won’t be long (I hope) till we start seeing very diverse pelotons internationally.
RoadRider400
Some bloke that likes cycling alone
As a slight aside. Why do you feel the need to promote diversity in cycling? As in what barriers to entry have you seen that you feel need to be overcome?
I can appreciate it in group activities where people might feel discriminated against or scared to be the only person of a certain age/ethnicity/religion/gender etc, then yes absolutely it needs help to become inclusive. I myself have only just got into cycling. I went on Ebay and purchased my bike, I then ordered and fitted new tyres. I now go out and ride my bike in the countryside now and then and have entered a sportive. I fail to see how variation in the personal characterisics I have listed above would restrict anybody else in this country from doing the same.
Sometimes people/communities make their own barriers, or are just not interested.
I can appreciate it in group activities where people might feel discriminated against or scared to be the only person of a certain age/ethnicity/religion/gender etc, then yes absolutely it needs help to become inclusive. I myself have only just got into cycling. I went on Ebay and purchased my bike, I then ordered and fitted new tyres. I now go out and ride my bike in the countryside now and then and have entered a sportive. I fail to see how variation in the personal characterisics I have listed above would restrict anybody else in this country from doing the same.
Sometimes people/communities make their own barriers, or are just not interested.
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jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
One of the most inspirational cyclists I know is hijab wearing granny from Leicester who I met in 2012 when we both cycled in the opening ceremony of the Olympics. https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/maryam-amatullah
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Freiburg im Breisgau
I think that part of the problem in the UK is the old problem of a lack of infrastructure, so only the people who feel up to dealing with the conditions cycle.
We have a similar problem in Stuttgart, because it lags in terms of cycle infrastructure, this week I was down near, and occasionally over, the Swiss border, in a region with somewhat better cycling infrastructure and lots of people of all genders and nationalities were riding bikes.
When I'm in Japan, I see people of all ages and genders as well, less ethnicities simply because there aren't many people of different ethnicities in that region of Japan, but there are swarms of schoolkids and grannies riding as well.
I think you may as well ask "How do you make train travel more inclusive?" Answer, make it convenient, inexpensive, and safe for everyone, and it becomes normal for everyone.
I'd suggest @Heltor Chasca that the best way to make cycling inclusive is to try and get more safe infrastructure.
The other main problem here is hills, and I'm afraid no amount of political correctness will get rid of those...
We have a similar problem in Stuttgart, because it lags in terms of cycle infrastructure, this week I was down near, and occasionally over, the Swiss border, in a region with somewhat better cycling infrastructure and lots of people of all genders and nationalities were riding bikes.
When I'm in Japan, I see people of all ages and genders as well, less ethnicities simply because there aren't many people of different ethnicities in that region of Japan, but there are swarms of schoolkids and grannies riding as well.
I think you may as well ask "How do you make train travel more inclusive?" Answer, make it convenient, inexpensive, and safe for everyone, and it becomes normal for everyone.
I'd suggest @Heltor Chasca that the best way to make cycling inclusive is to try and get more safe infrastructure.
The other main problem here is hills, and I'm afraid no amount of political correctness will get rid of those...
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