Women's Rides aim to Boost Lady Cycling

Bicycling's mostly been about the guys. Lots of dude - and sometimes too much attitude.

At least two events this year aim to change that.

I don't know how the event rides shake out, but between 2008-2011, during rush hour in Salem women have been only about one quarter of the total people on bike.

I'm pretty sure the proportion of women on club and event rides isn't much different.

On Sunday the 18th at 9am, Specialized and the Bike Peddler are holding a short and easy-paced 25-30 mile introductory ride just for women.

On March 18th, women across the nation will be gathering for Women's Ride Day to enjoy a ride together on their local streets and trails to celebrate women in cycling. Whether you're an accomplished rider or a first-timer, Women's Ride Day events will help you strengthen your relationship with your bike and with other women in your area who ride!

Michelle will lead the ride and there won't be any boys on it.


In DIY spirit, CycloFemme is organizing rides all over the country on May 13th:

HONOR THE PAST and the emancipation of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, for the freedom to choose and the chance to wear pants. CELEBRATE THE PRESENT and the riders who keep it rolling, bringing women's racing to the forefront, pushing the limits, breaking down barriers and sharing the love of the bike with everyone along the way. EMPOWER THE FUTURE of women in cycling and the opportunity for positive social change. Teach women to ride and they will change the world. MAY 13TH, 2012

There's no ride currently scheduled in Salem, so if you want to organize another lady-centric ride, here's a great opportunity!

The field is wide open in Salem for women-on-bikes programming - classes and clinics, rides and repair, fashion and fun. If you have an idea for a project, don't wait to start it! And if you have an interested friend, encourage her to try out one of these opportunities.

(And don't forget about Kidical Mass - which might be the most fun and relaxing introduction to city riding of all!)

Vintage image from "Bicycling for Women" in Cosmo, 1896! See also Francis Elizabeth Willard's 1895 book, A Wheel within a Wheel: How I learned to Ride the Bicycle.