Bikes for women

Bikes for women or women for bikes

This post is dedicated to a historical reflection on how women, not without difficulty, climbed onto bicycle saddles. If you're simply looking for a comfortable women's saddle , you'll find one in one of our stores. And if you're interested in the history of the bicycle, we've dedicated an entire post to it .

Let me tell you what I think about cycling. I think it has done more for women's emancipation than anything else in the world. It gives women a sense of freedom and independence. I stop and rejoice every time I see a woman riding a bike—an image of free, uninhibited femininity.

Susan Brownell Anthony

Susan Brownell <1820–1906> was a co-founder of the National American Suffrage Association and one of the pioneers of the feminist movement

Our compatriot Karolina Kocięcka also contributed to the history of women's cycling and the social emancipation of women. She was ahead of her time and, as one of the few women at the time, successfully competed in many major men's races. Such as the 1901 St. Petersburg–Warsaw–Moscow rally.

A Polish cycling star from the turn of the century

Karolina Kocięcka , the most outstanding Polish cyclist of the turn of the 20th century, won recognition for her achievements in the demanding 12-hour track race and for her perseverance during a bicycle trip from Warsaw to Paris in 1900. Despite being ostracized by her family and ridiculed by society, she consistently defended women's place in the emerging competitive sport.

During a trip to Paris in 1900, Kocięcka and her companion, who went by the pseudonym Dedi, covered 1,740 km in 14 days, gaining recognition and sympathy in both Germany and France. However, their journey was not without adventures, including a serious bicycle breakdown in Poznań and a dangerous descent down a mountain in Aachen.

Upon reaching Paris, Kocięcka was filled with joy and pride, and her achievements were certified by the sports magazine "Velo." She then set off on her own on the return journey through Switzerland, reaching Warsaw after more than 2,400 km. For her record-breaking Warsaw-Paris distance, she received an award from the Clement factory.

Bikes for all women? Unfortunately, not necessarily...

Unfortunately, in many places around the world, especially those with more traditional socio-religious structures, a woman on a bicycle can still arouse surprise or outrage. Or even social unrest similar to that which occurred in medieval Europe against women suspected of practicing witchcraft.

The condition of local infrastructure and the overall level of public safety in a given country/region are also of great importance.
When we look at the European Cyclists' Federation research from 2021, the following conclusions emerge:

• In all cities, women walk more often than men, and in most cities, they use public transport more often. This relationship is reversed for cycling, with women using bicycles significantly less often than men. In cities with a high number of cyclists (especially in Germany and Switzerland), both sexes are willing to cycle.
• Some of the differences stem from spatial and temporal constraints. Childcare and household responsibilities, for example, disproportionately burden women, leading to differences in employment rates. In some cities, this means women are forced to stay at home. The study also shows that women commute by bike half as often as men.
• Women have been found to be more sensitive to road traffic risks. Furthermore, gender norms, cultural barriers, and fear of sexual harassment and assault by men prevent women from using certain modes of transportation or traveling at certain times of day. It is often when walking, cycling, or using public transportation that women feel most vulnerable while traveling. This makes active travel a potential source of anxiety for them. Cycling can be perceived as inappropriate and stigmatized in many low-income societies, so women who already experience social disadvantage are likely to avoid cycling altogether (e.g., in Pakistan and India).

Equality is easier to achieve in sport

Cycling, from a purely sporting perspective, is a very inclusive discipline with a relatively low barrier to entry. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, races, and genders. Over the last decade, we've seen a significant increase in interest in cycling among women. Each year, more and more women see cycling as more than just a weekend ride in good weather or a commute to work or university.

The women's edition of Le Tour – Le Tour de France Femmes (previously organized under different names and with varying regularity) – has definitely gained popularity. It now attracts not only larger crowds of fans but also significantly more money (sponsors). A tangible result of this is the creation of the Liv brand, which creates bikes designed exclusively for women from start to finish. On a local scale, we are seeing specifically female cycling initiatives springing up like mushrooms after the rain. Set-ups and trips at home and abroad are no longer the domain of men. Many grassroots initiatives bringing together women cyclists are emerging.