Women in cycling

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screenman

Squire
Why not more women in the shops we already have.
Creating a seperate market may well increase the cost and further distance women fron mainstream cycling!
Niche market normally equates to higher prices. Whatever your selling.
Good points, but the last 3 times I have been in an Evans I have been served by a female, so maybe it is happening. Now is the shortest due to females not wanting the jobs, or males not employing them.
 

welsh dragon

Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
When I was looking for a bike, I went to my LBS. After telling him what I wanted a bike for, he showed me a giant escape step through womens hybrid. That was the only bike he thought i should have
 
OP
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classic33

classic33

Leg End Member
It's because no one watches them on TV. For the most part sport is seen as entertainment, entertaining things get televised, ratings measure the success and therefore the value of the entertainment. If no one is going to watch it, then no one is going to sponsor it and there's no money to support the player/riders.
But if you don't get the chance to see it, would you consider its because its not worthwile putting up there in the first place, which is why its not shown.

When did you last see a female cycle mechanic/technichian in a bike shop?
 

welsh dragon

Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
It's because no one watches them on TV. For the most part sport is seen as entertainment, entertaining things get televised, ratings measure the success and therefore the value of the entertainment. If no one is going to watch it, then no one is going to sponsor it and there's no money to support the player/riders.

Why do the large numbers watch the mens cycling. Is it not seen as just entertainment as well? I don't think so.
 
No, I do not go with this one, women are far more scarey than men. You ask any married bloke.
This is exactly what I am talking about. 1970s sexist humour makes this place pretty unwelcoming to women.

And pretty irrelevant. It may be that men are intimidated in cookware shops staffed by women, but take that to http://www.goodfoodforum.com/. Most bike shops are staffed by men, and it can be quite hard to make them take you seriously. Which I don't bother to do, I just take my business elsewhere.
 

welsh dragon

Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Did you slap him, you should have.

To be honest, I hadnt been on a bike in 45 years, so I didn't know what to do.
 

Spinney

Bimbleur extraordinaire
Location
Back up north
The reaction to that kind of attitude depends very much on the self-confidence of the woman concerned. I would have no trouble explaining the error of his ways (and I'm guessing WD managed to do so as well! :thumbsup:).

But a newcomer to cycling, or one without (shock, horror) a male partner/friend along to 'supervise' could easily end up being sold the wrong kind of bike. Even if someone reads up about it, it is all too easy to be persuaded that you have misunderstood and that this, madam, is the bike you really want.:gun:
 
When I was looking for a bike, I went to my LBS. After telling him what I wanted a bike for, he showed me a giant escape step through womens hybrid. That was the only bike he thought i should have
I think my experience was worse. I went to several shops, and said "I'm looking for a drop bar commuter" IE the only thing I was specifying was that it should have drop bars, everything else was open for discussion. At at least 2 places (Decathlon and Pearson) they immediately started showing me flat barred bikes.
 

Shadowfax

Well-Known Member
Well I bought a male bike [I assume] because that's what I liked and that's what fitted. Talking to the rest of the female participants at a recent sportive that was also their choice. Maybe there is no problem ? Or just one imagined by men. Why don't you get on with your own business and stop worrying about ours !
 

screenman

Squire
This is exactly what I am talking about. 1970s sexist humour makes this place pretty unwelcoming to women.

And pretty irrelevant. It may be that men are intimidated in cookware shops staffed by women, but take that to http://www.goodfoodforum.com/. Most bike shops are staffed by men, and it can be quite hard to make them take you seriously. Which I don't bother to do, I just take my business elsewhere.
Please accept my apologies, although I doubt you will.

Surely if you are intimidated then you just find a shop with female assistance.
 

Spinney

Bimbleur extraordinaire
Location
Back up north
To be honest, I hadnt been on a bike in 45 years, so I didn't know what to do.

The reaction to that kind of attitude depends very much on the self-confidence of the woman concerned. I would have no trouble explaining the error of his ways (and I'm guessing WD managed to do so as well! :thumbsup:).

Oops, I'm wrong! Bet she could now, though! :ninja:
 
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