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"A million more women cyclists needed to rescue Olympic legacy"

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3722208.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2013_03_25

    Short report on Radio 4 inc 'want to remove MAMIL image' and 'no women on BC Board'.

    'Plan' to have three.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  2. Kirst77
    Member

    You will be delighted to hear that the uptake in Scotland is on the rise. There is a real drive and momentum in Scotland with a lot of women and girls taking to the streets on their bikes.
    There is a real buzz around just now - in all sectors of cycling but especially so with women so I feel the legacy effect is still with us.
    Recent success stories include the Scottish Cycling Scott Contessa Road Race Academy. Although the name indicates racing, it was about much more than that. It created groups across Scotland of women keen to improve their confidence and cycling technique. Many of whom went on to do their first race at the weekend in a friendly pressure free environment. The women involved ranged from 16-60 all of whom were fed up of the 'mamil' who puts them off joining a local club so now there is a real drive to create more social, recreational and structured sports cycling groups and clubs with women in mind.
    CTC have made a real commitment to supporting and developing cycling in this area too. Working hard to encourage and support the set up of new female orientated groups and encourage families to get involved in the charity. Watch this space, there's more to come.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  3. chdot
    Admin

    "Recent success stories include the Scottish Cycling Scott Contessa Road Race Academy"

    (Yesterday) -

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9742#post-105641

    Posted 12 years ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    "There is a real drive and momentum in Scotland with a lot of women and girls taking to the streets on their bikes."

    Any figures?

    Certainly in recent years in Edinburgh I think it's definitely the case that the male/female balance is changing significantly for 'normal' cycling.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  5. Charterhall
    Member

    This is a very confused message. The article appears to be about utility cycling but the major quotes in it are all from those whose primary interest is racing - the BCF, Becky James and Jess Varnish. I fully agree with the need to refresh cycling's image "so it is not seen as a sport only for men in lycra" but I don't want it to be seen as a sport at all, I want it seen as an everyday activity. I wish the media would go to the CTC for their quotes not the BCF.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  6. Kirst77
    Member

    It has to been seen as a sport but yes you are right it does need to be seen as a normal mode of transport and leisure activity. The power of sport is undeniable especially for young people. We all desire a country where cycling to school every day is normal. Where cycling is common place and everyone has access to a variety of clubs/groups if they wish to do it in a structured or social activity at recreational, club or national level. YES all media should always go to CTC first.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  7. Kirst77
    Member

    @ chdot. Exact Figures. Not yet - (not my dept. but I am sure someone is on it!)

    Posted 12 years ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    "but I don't want it to be seen as a sport at all"

    I think there was a time when I might have agreed with that.

    There was certainly a time when most people who raced bikes wouldn't ride 'normally' or as 'transport'.

    That has changed a lot. There are people on here who cycle to work and for 'fun'/leisure and sport.

    Some started riding to work after first being into sport/leisure - others the opposite.

    I do agree with

    "The power of sport is undeniable especially for young people. We all desire a country where cycling to school every day is normal"

    I do some work in schools and have been particularly keen on taking children on trips - to places and to show they can cycle there (or 'anywhere').

    There are people who want to do 'sport' even if they'll never be Hoy/Pendletons.

    Also better if there are places to go other than Glentress.

    But that is another story...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  9. Roibeard
    Member

    @Kirst77 - It has to been seen as a sport

    Dim question, why?

    The power of sport is undeniable especially for young people.

    Or is that for young men? My guess is that sport isn't something that is as appealing to young women, clearly something folk are keen to change.

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

    "I wish the media would go to the CTC for their quotes not the BCF."

    It is of course ironic that the CTC has its own OMNIL* problem.

    Apparently that is changing

    Apparently.

    *Old Men Not In Lycra.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    "My guess is that sport isn't something that is as appealing to young women"

    Again that is changing.

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=shanaze+reade&hl=en&tbm=isch

    I do cringe at some of the 'bicycle belle', beauty on a bike' stuff.

    But as said elsewhere about "balance" (in relation to cycling v cars) women (in this context) have been under represented/encouraged.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Corinne Walder (@CorinneWalder)
    25/03/2013 08:58
    Shanaze in BBC for interviews about getting more girls cycling.

    http://instagram.com/p/XRkxWnE3be/

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #
  13. Kirst77
    Member

  14. chdot
    Admin

    Meanwhile -

    "
    abbyburton (@abbyburton)
    25/03/2013 08:24
    Getting ready for Radio 4's Today programme...

    http://pic.twitter.com/n1PZq5f3BX

    "
    "
    GB Cycling Team Press Officer. Cannot ride a bike.

    "

    Strange!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  15. fimm
    Member

    As a woman who
    does utility cycling
    but also
    enjoys sports (in which she, as woman is often in a minority)
    and really, really doesn't do "pink"...

    I probably need to write a very long blog post about this (blogging about various aspects of cycling/sport from a woman's perspective is something I want to do anyway).

    But as I don't have time to do that right now, there's a really interesting article here that I found on the CEoGB blog round up (not directly connected to the initial post, except that it is also about women cycling).

    Posted 12 years ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Monica Magnussen (@twitmomag)
    25/03/2013 11:22
    @CorinneWalder @CyclingEdin I watched her interview this morning - we want more girls like her! #rideyourbike

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #
  17. Kirst77
    Member

    Barriers exist, breaking them takes time, effort, £££££, the RIGHT people with the right training and expertise. Also the media perception of 'safety' is highly destructive and detrimental to cycling development at all levels. Not to mention the role model issues. Thanks to the Olympics for creating some very positive cycling ones though. It really does make a different.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  18. chdot
    Admin

    "Thanks to the Olympics for creating some very positive cycling ones though. It really does make a different"

    Not least because some people involved - esp Boardman and Wiggins - actually care about 'ordinary' people doing non sport cycling on UK roads.

    Even Chris Hoy, who is associated with going round in cycles away from traffic and now has a bike brand to promote, is concerned about getting more people on bikes on roads (etc.)

    Posted 12 years ago #
  19. Kirst77
    Member

    I too am a cyclist and yes I have a vast amount of distain to the frilly, condescending, patronising and cheeky language that can be found attached to women's only targeted activity around cycling. Thankfully there are many great other areas of good practice cropping up in Scotland.
    Really like that Blog thank you. I too need to blog... so much to say! In fact, I'm off to write a piece right now...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  20. Kirst77
    Member

    Interesting that you immediately associate role models with male cyclists ;-)! (point appreciated though!)

    Victoria Pendalton bikes.... Laura Trott - young strong and highly successful. Katy Winton - Peebles athlete, was in the Scotsman this weekend... MTBer and fabulous public speaker and motivator. They might not have the media power of Boardman but on the ground these individuals are an inspiration to us all.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  21. chdot
    Admin

    "Interesting that you immediately associate role models with male cyclists ;-)!"

    You talking about me??

    I mentioned them because they have been (seen to be) saying things - esp Mr. B

    Of course the fact that they are able/seen to be spokespersons is a different issue.

    The fact BC is pushing this today and got two women on Today really is new/unusually/important/encouraging.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  22. Kirst77
    Member

    Good point. Yes and the general public know who they are. Encouraging and hopefully a taste of things to come. I really hope this continues and is the start of a new 'norm'.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

    "I really hope this continues and is the start of a new 'norm'."

    Agreed.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  24. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Dear Ride Leaders, we wanted to share some good news with you!

    Today, British Cycling is launching its new vision for women’s cycling at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in London. See it here http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/women

    The top line of our new ambition is that we want to get one million more women on bikes by 2020. This target is a big challenge – only 525,000 women are currently riding once a week and just under 1.2 million women ride once a month – so we’re looking to pretty much double that figure over the next seven years.

    We’re going to do this by continuing to inspire women to ride recreationally through our Breeze and Sky Ride programmes and continuing to campaign for safer roads for all cyclists (as we know 30% of women have identified safety fears as their main barrier to taking up cycling). We will also set up entry–level racing opportunities for women at key facilities across the country, work to influence more event organisers to put on women’s events to run alongside men’s race, and establish a National Youth Form with equal male and female representation. We will recruit more female coaches, volunteers and officials into the sport and will work to ensure that our Board is more representative with plans to recruit three new Board members.

    The key to success is embedding our strategy in all that we do – including ensuring that our website, our membership offer and our branding is appealing to women. We will also look at now we can better promote free expert advice, cycling routes and our Social Cycling Group network to demonstrate how easy it is to get involved in our sport.

    Our launch in London on 25 March is being supported by Culture Secretary Maria Miller, Sport England and Sky as well as other key stakeholders such as the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation. Becky James and Jess Varnish (above) will also attend as well as speakers from the England Women’s Cricket Team and BBC Sport. We also expect the event to be well attended by national media.

    We would not be in this position without the hard work and dedication of all our Ride Leaders over the last four years and we wanted to thank you and ask you to do it all again !

    As always if you have any questions or queries then get in touch with us, please don’t sit there scratching your head or feeling frustrated. If you know the details of your lead on the team give them a call, if not email skyride@britishcycling.org.uk or call 0161 2742000 and ask to speak to the Sky Ride Local team.

    Warmest regards from us all,

    Craig, Jacqui, Jon, Paul, Nick

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #
  25. PS
    Member

    The fact BC is pushing this today and got two women on Today really is new/unusually/important/encouraging.

    IIRC, the interview on Today was in the sport slot. I doubt that it would have got any airtime without the "successful sportswomen" angle. That's just how the media is (unfortunately), but probably reflects the public's point of view.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  26. chdot
    Admin

  27. sallyhinch
    Member

    For those who enjoyed the Helen Blackman blog post she's done another cracker which is a bit more on topic http://helenblackman.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/why-a-feminist-needs-a-bicycle-like-a-fish-needs-water/

    Posted 12 years ago #
  28. Tulyar
    Member

    The CTC seems to be lacking in the commercially switched on way that BC and ETA are in promoting the message and collaring the funding at present, hence BC is getting used for providing the quotes and being seen as The National Cycling Organisation, and if CTC isn't careful they'll lose that strapline and be stuck with the less definitive and IMO weaker The National Cycling Charity.

    Not impressed with the Brake 'safety' clip from Barclays all talk and very '1-dimensional' diagrams rather than bright filmed detail of real life, and safety message completely failed to stress the importance of eyes and ears (and Lifesaver) as ways to be safe on the road. Other clips seem better though.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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