Re: [Ebbc-Talk] Ebbc-Talk Digest, Vol 374, Issue 3

Agreed, but the reality is that most people are inclined to only research and approve products and designs that suit their own needs and interests. For this same reason we need to get more planners and elected officials on bikes, so they can start to understand how poor bike infrastructure affects real people in practice.

Through the bike safety classes I teach I have come in contact with many concerns and points of view that I likely would never have arrived at on my own. Over time I have changed my position on several topics because of this.

-Robert

On May 13, 2012, at 12:40 PM, Marcy Greenhut <[email protected]> wrote:

> To the women-owned bike shops, I'd add Missing Link, which most of you know is 
> employee-owned.  I don't know the numbers, but I do know at least one woman 
> who's been owner for many years.  I found them particularly helpful when 
> shopping for my current and last bicycle, both of which have fit me just fine!  
> 
> That doesn't mean there shouldn't be MORE women-friendly, women-owned and 
> women-designed bikes, shops & accessories, but I believe street-scapes should be 
> safer for all, including the 5 year old on the tricycle (to para-quote Enrique 
> Penalosa).  Who ever the planners, engineers and advocates are.... I'm talking 
> to you!  Men are fathers, brothers and sons of women and children.  No reason we 
> have to divide ourselves by gender; we can all be more sensitive to safety and 
> comfort whether we're women or not.  Right?
> 
> Marcy
> 
> Women-owned bike shops. It has been mentioned before but there are a lot of 
> great options in Oakland with Tip Top, Manifesto, and Bay Area Bikes all 
> co-owned by women. I imagine it can be a big turn off for a woman to walk into a 
> shop full of dudes who have little to no experience fitting women for bikes and 
> might not take their concerns about urban riding seriously.
> 
> Also, without stereotyping too much, some studies have shown that women bikers 
> tend to be more risk-averse than men, and prefer bike infrastructure with better 
> protection from auto traffic, even if it results in a slightly slower ride.
> 
> Infrastructure and products that support riding with children and carrying cargo 
> are also important, as despite all of our societal gains women still tend to 
> take more responsibility for childcare and family shopping. (Again, these are 
> generalizations, I know).
> 
> More women transportation planners, more women bike advocates, more women bike 
> manufacturers, the list goes on and on...
> 
> -Robert
> 
> On May 12, 2012, at 1:45 PM, Eric McCaughrin <emccaughrin-/[email protected]> wrote:
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