Michal Glowacki’s Post

In 1922, a woman riding a penny-farthing bicycle in Chicago reflects a fascinating moment in the evolution of cycling. The penny-farthing, known for its large front wheel and much smaller rear wheel, was an iconic symbol of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1920s, it had largely been replaced by safer, more practical bicycles with equal-sized wheels, but some riders still enjoyed the thrill of the penny-farthing for recreational purposes. The woman's confident posture on the high wheel exemplifies the adventurous spirit of the era, as well as a growing interest in personal freedom and outdoor activities, particularly among women. This photograph also reflects the changing role of women in society during the 1920s. The "Roaring Twenties" was a time of transformation, where women increasingly sought independence and expressed themselves in new ways. The bicycle, once considered a mode of transport for men, had become a symbol of emancipation for women, allowing them to travel more freely and participate in social activities outside the home. For women like the one pictured in Chicago, cycling was a form of empowerment—especially when paired with the more practical but still somewhat daring penny-farthing. Chicago in the 1920s was a rapidly growing city, bustling with energy and modernity. The urban landscape, with its mix of old buildings and emerging skyscrapers, served as an ideal backdrop for this scene of early 20th-century leisure. The woman's choice of bike, an unusual and vintage mode of transport by this time, also highlights the contrast between old and new technologies. It stands as a visual metaphor for the broader changes sweeping through society—technological advancements, shifting social roles, and the constant push for progress during the vibrant, transformative decade.

My latest article... Cycling gets you further, faster and healthier. However, across the UK, US and Canada, two-wheeled commuting is largely dominated by men. Research has continuously emphasised that this is mainly due to lack of protective infrastructure, leaving women feeling unsafe to cycle. What comes first: infrastructure or behaviour change? For #DonellaMeadows shifting physical infrastructure is usually the slowest and most expensive type of change to make in a system. To support change in attitude, women from my recent research came up with the idea of stimulating a debate around the health implications that inappropriate saddles and ill-fitting bikes can have on women’s bodies… and recommending that bicycle shops develop a library of women-tailored saddles designed to respond to women’s anatomy, making cycling a more comfortable experience. Thanks to Susanne Mueller Ellen Grünewald, PhD Jennifer Elliot from #PortyCommunityEnergy such a library is now up and running in Portobello/ Edinburgh Sustrans https://lnkd.in/dead2hPc

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice Volume 184, June 2024, 104094 Appreciate this share Kanchan Maharaj, P.Eng Bicycle facilities and women's cycling frequency – An intersectional analysis of gendered travel behaviour Sarah Giacomantonio a, Raktim Mitra a, Léa Ravensbergen b Abstract Bicycle facilities are a widely used sustainable transportation policy tool, but their role in mitigating gendered barriers to cycling is less studied. This paper presents the findings from an online household survey conducted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada, focusing on 10 neighbourhoods- five with a newly constructed facility and five without. In this work, we explore how socially influenced and intersectional gendered experiences (expressed through age, employment, having children and trip-chaining) may influence commute-related cycling, in the presence or absence of bicycle facilities. Results from binomial logistic regression models indicate a higher likelihood of cycling at least once a week, for commuting purpose, amongst women who are 30–44 years old, who work part-time or are students, who have children, and who engage in trip chaining during commute, in neighbourhoods with a bicycle facility. We also found that in the absence of bicycle facilities, women’s likelihood of cycling frequently was no different than men’s. Using a feminist geography lens, we argue that the presence of new bicycle facilities potentially allowed some women to minimize the barriers they experience when cycling, including social expectations around feminine performance on streets. We show the importance of intersectional analyses in cycling research. By addressing women’s traditional gender roles, opportunities and patriarchal division of labor, transportation policy can positively influence women's participation in cycling https://lnkd.in/gCqgZYXc h/t Marina Kyriakou #BikeTO

🚲 Is this you? 90% of women in the UK say they're scared of Cycling in towns and cities 🚲 Their biggest concerns are: - Road rage (rage means anger, probably coming from drivers) - Fear of having an accident - They feel vulnerable, especially at night Of course if women are put off from participating in cycling then the UK as a whole may miss its targets to increase sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport 🚲 This is UK-wide, but there are many comments from London-based organizations and residents - The current Mayor of London (re-elected today) has been in office for 8 years already and has implemented many low emission zones, and reduced traffic in many neighbourhoods - His predecessor, the lovely Boris Johnson, was also in charge for 8 years, and for all his faults, introduced city-wide bike hiring and often cycled to work 🚲 So what's London/the UK in general getting wrong? Why is half the population scared of getting their leg over (a bike!) while cities such as Amsterdam and Paris implement cycling strategies that seem to bring everyone along with them? - Okay I know both those cities face(d) a lot of opposition from motorists, but they've managed to make changes - London, specifically, has had nearly 20 years of pro-cycling Mayors, and yet most women are scared to cycle there 🚲 What do they need to do differently in the UK/London to bring about positive changes? Please DM or let us know in the comments below 👇👇 ________________________________________ I'm a Business English Communication Skills coach, focusing on the Bike Industry, I often post on both topics so follow or connect if you don't want to miss any updates https://lnkd.in/dvia4mKH

I'm a late adopter of cycling, it has taken a time to feel comfortable. I'm the only black person on the cycle route. Underrepresentation is a problem. I try not to think about it. I'm the only black woman in the changing room after cycling to work. Personal appearance and grooming is a major barrier, when I have my actual hair out it's not something I want to get wet, I don't want to be dealing with that when I get to work. One thing I found is a "hairbrella" satin lined waterproof bonnet to wear under a helmet. This was a game changer. It made me feel I could still get to work and feel professional, clean and comfortable. Car ownership is a sign you have made it. I'm going to leave this car at home and cycle and walk? No. It can be a little scary sometimes but you begin to choose more pleasant routes, and that is worth more than saving a few mins travel time. Do I have the confidence to take up space on the road? Risk of bike theft can really add to cost. I use the annual membership for Santander bikes, so I am of mindset every ride is free. Storage is also an issue so this alleviates this. Accessibility of cycling infrastructure is another barrier especially outside of London. We can all recognise one subset middle aged white man in Lycra on fancy road bike or electric bike able to do that long cycle to work relatively happily but we don't see ourselves being able to do that. Where does the perception of cycling as being lower form of transport come from? In Netherlands the combination of bike + train is key. Something that would be great in UK, but we recognise the problem with trains being full. Multimodal travel is becoming quite a thing...in our stakeholder engagement in Wales we were speaking to an elderly councillor who said it's a great idea but I can't do that. To tackle the impact of under representation we are working on cycling encouragement programmes, in some city minority groups Cycling wasn't part of the culture where they were originally from. So Netherlands policy needs to address this from a health perspective but also it is an easy and cheap form of transport. I just found "cycling sisters" Muslim women, they come together and cycle to encourage more Muslim women to cycle. Can't wait for the day we see Rishi Sunak on a Lime bike. Good that government investing in active travel outside of London. I got a bike with "cycle to work" scheme in lockdown but I have problem storing it in my flat. I have to have it on my wall and I paid for that but the real benefit is when you zip through traffic and feel good. These are quotes from our recent Arcadis Origins Network "Let's Talk Webinar" on the subject of Active Travel. Thanks to the Arcadis Origins Network and Alex van Gent for sharing their insights on the challenges and opportunities for Active Travel.

Ergonomic Maven Cargo E-Bike Provides Best Riding Experience For Women The cycling world has a lot of fender differences, and most bicycles are mostly meant for men. Many bicycles in the market are designed for male physiques, and there are few options for women. Integral Electric’s Ergonomic Maven cargo e-bike is an exception, and it is specially designed for women. Maven Cargo E-Bike Review Ergonomic Maven Cargo E-Bike is the perfect combination of comfort, practicality, and style, which is perfect for women riders. This E-bike is designed for versatility and is easy to ride, which makes it a good choice for mothers and parents alike. Let’s look at some reasons that make this an amazing electronic bike and why this is a good investment for you. Ergonomic Maven Cargo E-Bike The Ergonomic Maven Cargo E-Bike is designed for women cyclists. The bike’s step-through frame design makes it very easy to mount and dismount, especially when you are carrying groceries, cargo, or your kids.

Gen Z is making cycling great again! The numbers infer that the digital-first generation is choosing cycling as a more sustainable way to travel and commute to work or school. Yes, it could ultimately be to save money in the long run - but a recent study by the University of Oxford proved that choosing a bike over a car even just once a day reduces the average person's transport-related carbon emissions by 67%. According to Strava’s most recent report, Gen Zers (generally, those born between 1997 and 2012) have a growing love affair with both gravel, and e-bikes - boosting cycling on gravel roads by 55%, and electric mobility by 23%. https://lnkd.in/e6W9CfDF

Did you know that for every two men riding a bike there is only one woman? For women the top barrier to getting on a bike is lack of safe infrastructure. I love this article which shows the way to getting more women cycling. It also highlights the personal benefits of cycling. For those in the transport infrastructure sector it emphasises the value of co-design. Women must be engaged in the planning process. #womenininfrastructure #transportplanning #activetransport #womenempoweringwomen

At Sea Otter Classic, America’s biggest bicycle trade show, pedal power wasn’t just about bike racing and the latest gadgets. Amidst the sea of booths, a powerhouse of women in the industry gathered for a live Uplift panel, dishing out insights and advice for their industry peers. Recent studies hit hard, revealing the cycling world still leans heavily towards white, straight men, with many women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals facing harassment or worse. In fact, 71% of the women say that they were considering leaving the cycling industry. In response, a group of industry veterans are hitting the alarm bells, rallying for change through dialogue and mentorship. Attracting over 160 attendees, the panel featured off-road racing legend Rebecca Rusch, Zwift’s Kate Veronneau, DEI specialist Lisa Bourne, MBA Bourne, and yours truly. We shared advice on breaking barriers, making an impact, and forging connections in a male-dominated arena while fielding the crowd’s questions and concerns. Moderated by Uplift’s founder Rachael Burnside and hosted by Kathryn Taylor of Feisty Media, the event was a first step in opening up the dialogue and making connections.  A video of the event will be made available soon via these channels, and while you wait, dive into our series exploring the challenges and triumphs of women in the bike industry today: "You don’t have to be a straight white man to work in the bicycle industry, but it helps" - uncovering the industry's diversity report. https://lnkd.in/gYEh3SYt "71% of cycling industry women are considering leaving" - hear from trailblazers on why and what’s being done to turn the tide. https://lnkd.in/gDpkz2QE "After 10 years in cycling, here’s why I am leaving the bike industry" - a personal account shedding light on the realities within. https://lnkd.in/gAzr6mYv

"To boost women’s cycling we must ALL become safe infrastructure advocates" Mark Sutton #cycling #cyclingcommunity #activetravel #transport #futuremobility #newmobility #transportinfrastructure #remodeling #builtenvironment #inclusion #accessibility #societalimpact #economicimpact #environmentalimpact #futurecities #PolicyShapesSociety #government #policymakers #leadership #advocacy #lobbying #infrastructureinvestment #behaviourchange #mindsetshift