(no subject)

[aedifica]

http://grist.org/biking/2011-06-20-bicyclings-gender-gap-its-the-economy-stupid/

Pretty neat article. I didn't know there was such a gender gap (I live in a place that doesn't have as much of one) and I definitely hadn't thought about most of these reasons for it.

Comments

[cpolk]

At my income level, falling into the car trap would been almost exactly as smart as finding out I really like the way cocaine smells, but I know that a lot of women at my income level have a *lot* more challenges.

I bought a brand new bicycle, and I have the luxury of riding to run errands and make appointments or use the decent public transit available to me if I decide it's too windy to ride. I'm also single, childless, and I live alone, though there is a pending cat in the next few months. I'm planning on buying a second bicycle, and to me living carless with a bicycle is an inexpensive lifestyle - for me.

A single mother might not be able to afford the *multiple* bicycles she might need--what if she's buying groceries for her and her three kids? how does she get those three kids to school or daycare while she goes to work? sure there's such a thing as a cargobike, and maybe one of her kids is old enough to ride a bike too, but going from flinging money at an old car in terrible shape to going carless and using bikes and public transportation is a huge scary change. I'm not surprised that more women aren't riding.

It's easier for someone like me, and it's easier for a two-car family to ditch one car in favor of bicycles.