Whenever I attend a large event, I like to keep an eye on what other people publish about it. It’s interesting to see the different ways people process their experiences. This is a link round-up of articles and media dedicated to the Summit.
I was lucky enough to attend the Summit, and wrote an in-depth report on the event, as well as the sessions I attended. For more information about the sessions I did not attend, check out the links in the second half of this post. I even wrote a little poem.
The 2012 National Women’s Bicycling Summit page is on the League of American Bicyclists blog.
LAB declared the Summit a “HUGE” success, and I couldn’t agree more!
I had barely gotten the words “Welcome to the National Women’s Bicycling Summit” out of my mouth when a woman in the crowd yelled “It’s about time!” — and a massive cheer erupted from the packed room.
A Healthy Design and LAStreetsblog were inspired by Leah Missbach Day’s keynote presentation about the work her organization does in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.
Elly Blue set the internet on fire when she posted the “Bike Test” she presented in her session.
1. Are women present or represented at all?
2. Are the women presented as active subjects rather than passive objects?
3. If the gender were reversed, would the meaning stay more or less unchanged? (Or would the image become hilarious?)
Elly Blue put some images to the test, including the new Bikes Belong poster that was just unveiled at the international bike industry show, Interbike. Lovely Bicycle also chimes in with her thoughts on the test and the poster.
Image from Bikes Belong
In my opinion, this image is a big fail because of the sexualization/ objectification of women- too much focus on leg flesh and decolletage. Or, as Elly Blue puts it, “Where the heck does she keep her keys?”
Bicycle Times wrote a positive review of the Summit, but also pointed out that the fashion show just didn’t match up with vibe from the rest of the event.
…after hearing so many powerful messages of empowerment for women and girls, we were presented with a show that seemed to go for the typical shock-value sex appeal of runway fashion. Gold body paint and a bikini for riding a bike? Really? Especially when the guy models were in full-length pants and jackets (and actually riding, not walking)?
Cycle Chic Hits the Cat-bike-walk in Long Beach from Streetfilms on Vimeo
Flickr user lynn_watanabe also has a photo set here.
LAB also announced the launching of a new initiative, Women Bike.
Our vision: By 2025, American women will ride their bikes at the same rates as American men, for transportation, recreation and fitness.
That about wraps up what I’ve come across on the web. If you see anything cool or you wrote something about the Summit, I’d love to add it.
Update 9/24/2012:
League of American Bicyclists posted two Streetfilms videos, one of which is specific to the Summit. Check it out!
The Inaugural National Women’s Bicycle Summit from Streetfilms on Vimeo.
Update 11/2/2012:
Bike Style Spokane also had a good Summit experience.
Bottom line: When I compared it to Seneca Falls and the women’s movement, I wasn’t far off. The effects of being around that many women who ride bikes, care about bikes, sell bikes, fix bikes, promote bikes, love bikes were simply amazing.
She poses the most important question, and proposes a short list of actions.
Okay, so you missed the Summit and you want to get energized. What can you do?
1) Join–or start!–a women’s bike group in your area.
2) Sign up for the League of American Bicyclists Women Bike updates.
3) While you’re at it, join your state bike advocacy organization.
April Lemly of Chicks on Bikes Radio devotes the first part of this podcast to the Women’s Bike Summit.
Bird on a Wheel wrote about the Summit critically, and all of their criticisms are on point, in my opinion. Some of the criticisms have to do with the fact that this was the first year for this event, and some logistics need to be worked out. Other things, like the awkward keynote and the out-of-place fashion show, will hopefully not be repeated in the future.
These were great, but overly packed and attendees had to choose only 2 sessions to attend. The Women in Bicycle Sports session included 11 women involved in everything from junior’s to olympic level racing, triathalon to road,mountain, xc, track and the Race Across America. Inspiring, but too much all at once. What was the take away? That women are doing everything, but it’s still a small world.
The sessions were great – timely topics with women who are actively engaged in their roles who want to educate and involve more people in growing development, sport, business, transportation issues and more. Topics included: “Beyond Spandex, Towards Social Justice: Women Redefining the Movement, Family Biking and Low Car Living, Making Our Communities Work for Us,; Women and the Political Process, Young Women Who Ride, Media and Marketing; Who’s Selling Cycling to Women?” It would have been great if each session was livecast and the speaker’s bios and contact information were available to attendees. The experience last week felt like a mad game of musical chairs.
Velo Joy hits the highlights and came up with almost the same list of actions for engaging women to ride as Bike Style Spokane! I think I’m seeing a pattern here, People.
In the mean time, the League is already planning the next Women Bike meeting, to be held in conjunction with the annual National Bike Summit in Washington DC next spring.
How You Can Help Engage More Women in Cycling:
- Sign up for Women Bike updates www.womenbike.org.
- Support your local cycling advocacy organization to help improve infrastructure and safety in your community
- Ride your bicycle! Your example helps to inspire others.