Femme Pédale

Inspiring examples

2012-02-14T15:56:00.001Z

http://vimeo.com/35672630

an amazing short documentary about women's bike workshop spaces in America. Really worth a watch!

skirt vs. bike

2011-11-14T08:34:00.002Z

Our reflections on skirts and biking, earlier on in this blog, took an interesting extra development for me today when my skirt took a run-in with my bike.

The moment itself conformed to certain damaging feminine stereotypes: me, in a flowing purple skirt, carrying home lots of groceries on a bike (on a crisp autumn evening in Paris, I could go on); the only jarring aspect in the picture being my turquoise racing Bianchi (perhaps it should have been a Dutch shopper with hand-painted flowers). Slightly wobbly on my aluminium frame with a carton and pannier full of organic vegetables, tofu, bread and yoghurt saved from the bin, I was steadily making my way across the city back home. Nearly at destination, I felt a sudden whirring, smelt a burning smell and noticed a sharp break on my back wheel. In a narrow street of parked cars with cars rushing by my elbow, I pulled suddenly to a stop. Struggling to get off the frame, my front wheel lifted up with the weight of vegetables on the back and noticed I was somehow attached to the bike. Craning round, I found that the end of my skirt had become completely trapped between the rear brakes and the wheel and no amount of tugging could pull it loose; that is, without letting go of the precariously-balanced bike which was placed in a line of rushing traffic. I tried to inch forward; that didn't work either, as the rear wheel was completely blocked, and there was no chance of me lifting my frame and myself, with 30 kilos of vegetables on the rear, without toppling into the traffic. I realised my only release from this perilous situation would necessitate removing my skirt. It's November, so I had leggings on, and I awkwardly began unbuttoning my skirt and lifting up my right leg from its billowing folds while holding my loaded bike between my legs with one hand. I struggled one leg over, then released the other and stood holding my bike, pinned in by the evening rush of vehicles. I then hauled it onto the pavement, somehow or other, and grabbed the skirt with both hands, giving it an almighty tug to free it of the bike. The material was wrenched free, leaving a trail of dusty, ripped threads along the skirt, but no holes. I considered the wilted purple garment in my hands a moment, then tucked it under the bungee cord holding down a bottle of milkshake on the back. I made the rest of the journey home in leggings, vowing I'd think twice before wearing that skirt again.

I've been mulling over my discovery of possessing a bike-unfriendly skirt. What place has it in my wardrobe, despite its five years of loyal service, if it can't get on with my bike? Because my bike and I are always out together, and long purple skirt won't be coming between us.

Handsworth Bike Club – can you help?

2011-08-11T17:07:00.001+01:00

Since the early 1980s Handsworth Bike Club has been an important part of the lives of hundreds of children growing up in the area. Fixing bikes, teaching maintenance skills, and giving kids a safe, friendly place to hang out and learn to ride for the first time. The club is a valuable part of the local community.

Sadly, a lack of volunteers is currently threatening the Bike Club’s future; there is a desperate need for individuals to come down and help out, without which the club with be forced to close. In order to help prevent this Birmingham Bike Foundry is currently seeking people interested in giving some of their time to the project.

The club has its own playground area and lockup, with tools, bikes and parts, which it operates from. Helping out will involve relatively basic repairs, passing on mechanics knowledge, helping kids to start cycling, and generally just hanging out and having fun! Opening is currently irregular but is usually on Saturdays or Sundays. The project is fully insured.

If you are interested in volunteering all you will need initially is an interest in both working with kids and cycling. Some level of maintenance skills would be beneficial, but we will be able to help you get up to scratch with your mechanics if you’re not there already.

Once we have expressions of interest we will take all potential volunteers for a Saturday at the club. After that we hope to determine who will be willing and able to offer some time volunteering (we’re not suggesting every weekend!).

If you think you might be able to help please email us using info@birminghambikefoundry.org, letting us know a bit about yourself, e.g. relevant experience, maintenance abilities, other useful skills. And please, spread the word!

Summer of cycling – what we’ve been up to

2011-08-07T15:44:00.005+01:00

Here at Femme Pédale we’ve been enjoying the summer and taking part in all manner of rides and events …

Vélorution Universelle

In July a group of us from the UK took a trip to Paris to visit FP writer Una and take part in an absolutely amazing cycling event. Vélorution are a collective of cyclists campaigning for the use of the bicycle and on the numerous economic and political issues this opens the door to. This summer they brought together thousands of riders to reclaim the streets of Paris.

On our first day the biggest mass ended with an evening of fun and music in front of the Eiffel Tower. The next, we headed north to go swimming in the Seine and then bask on its banks. We saw some amazing bikes, met some wonderful people, and managed to survive cycling on the right hand side of the road.

Try and spot us in the video!

Dunwich Dynamo

The originally large contingent of us taking part in the Dunwich Dynamo was tragically cut short by the tyrannies of illness, work, and medical degrees, so a few weekends ago it was myself and the two Bike Foundry boys who left London at 8.30pm for a long night.

The Dynamo is around 120 miles from London to the coast, overnight. Not gonna lie, there were some less than fun moments. The multiple punctures, missing the half way stop point because we failed to see it, circa 110 miles thinking I’d lost everyone and sitting at the bottom of a hill eating chocolate because there was no way I was getting up it otherwise.

In spite of all this, definitely an incredible experience. Riding in the dark

for so long with nothing but hundreds of bike lights, the moon, bats, and the odd town, completely abandoned. Extremely surreal. The relief when the sun started to rise was intense, just to be able to see properly again seemed amazing! We finally reached the beach at 5.30am after nine hours of riding, flying the flag for step-through town bikes and fixies in a sea of lycra and roadies.

I have to say a big thanks to the boys for, y’know, just being cycling comrades, and to Southwark Cyclists, the group responsible for the Dynamo taking place.

In other news, we have been getting ready for the forthcoming Birmingham Bike Foundry shop (more on this very soon!), taking part in very sweaty Nottingham to Birmingham rides, building new bikes (soexcitedsoexcitedsoexcited), Critical Mass-ing…it’s business as usual in Birmingham.

Going the distance

2011-06-21T21:12:00.010+01:00

Last Saturday, a group of Femme Pédalers and friends set off on a 75 mile jaunt from Birmingham to Oxford. For some of us, this was a relaxing amble in the countryside, and others (ahem, me) quite a long way to go in one day; all of us had a great time. I'm pretty new to cycling distances of more than about 30 miles in one go, and have learned some pretty useful lessons this summer about how to stay happy on long rides. Here's what I've gathered, along with some photos of our day out.

Make sure your bike's ready to go; it doesn't need to be super expensive or have lots of bells and whistles so long as it's in good condition. Our friend Jane did 35 miles of the ride with us on a stylish but heavy old three-speed Raleigh, which goes to show that it's not what's between your legs, but what you do with it that counts. Before you leave, do a quick M-check, making sure that everything's in good working order and well oiled, and pump your tires up.
Get a backpack or pannier, and make sure you've got a pump and spare inner tube (tool-wise, a decent multi-tool might also come in handy), a waterproof, a a jumper, and a small first aid kit.
Plan a route: I like ordinance survey maps, the Sustrans site, and the Cyclestreets journey planner, but a standard road atlas will do the trick. If you stick to country back roads, you'll be able to enjoy joyous car-free miles. Stay flexible, and don't mind too much about getting lost. It's also useful to note if there are train stations at various points, in case you need an escape route.
Get ready! Have a decent meal and limit your alcohol intake the night before setting out and try and get a good night's sleep. A couple of Saturday's riders came out on three hours sleep, and didn't seem to appreciate the early start as much as some of us did.
Get dressed! Comfy clothes and trainers, with no flowing, loose bits that can get caught in chains and brakes are best; pay special attention to make sure that there's nothing that will cause discomfort to your bum and crotch a few miles down the line (see Nan's useful post on the subject), and at least consider padded shorts.
Get fed! Don't eat loads just before or during the ride- it'll make you sluggish and crampy. Make sure you've got lots of small snacks which release energy slowly; bananas, nuts, oatcakes and so on. Flapjacks are always a hot favorite.
Drink. Make sure you're carrying enough water, and remember to stay hydrated.
Choose a pace that suits you, and that you can maintain. If you need to get off and walk on hills, do it.
Enjoy yourself. Stop off at interesting places (half way, we hit Hook Norton brewery, found out how they make some of our favorite beer, and had a tasting session) and see new bits of countryside. Don't stress if you get wet, muddy, or lost; you'll make it home in the end, and the hot shower will be that little bit more pleasurable.

DIY Bike worshops in Canada

2011-06-03T14:03:00.004+01:00

During a visit to Montreal and Toronto in January-February of this year, I took the opportunity to visit some of the various well-established bicycle coops and projects dotted around both cities. This was such an inspiring experience from the point of view of someone interested in setting up similar projects in Europe that I’d like to share some of the things I saw and advice I heard.

Montreal

Cycle culture is vibrant in this city which boasts several thriving bike courrier companies, N. America’s first city bike rental scheme (they take them away in the winter to stop them getting buried in the snow) and around ten DIY bike co-ops. In the car park of Concordia University in downtown Montreal, there is a hidden-away but thriving hub of not-for-profit bike repair. Like many places in the city, it has a dual identity: Right to Ride or La Voie Libre, and is a project partly funded by the university. It opens its doors every evening during the week and longer hours on weekends.

Toronto

Ontario’s biggest city is also a hub for the not-for-profit bike sector, and while there I was able to visit one well-established co-op and one which is just starting up.

Bike Pirates were running their women and transsexual Sunday workshop session when I called in. The spacious and well-ordered interior of their workshop nonetheless manages to feel homely, with plenty of posters, slogans and artwork on the walls, as well as a cosy kitchen at the back. Colour-coded tool boards surround the half a dozen work stands, with useful hand-painted displays about various aspects of bike mechanics placed here and there. Cup of tea in hand, I put a few questions to Ainsley about how the project was run. Once again, it relies entirely on volunteers and at the minute there are only two of them, dividing up the week’s shifts between them. The project makes enough money to buy parts and pay the rent – that’s it. Opening hours and attendance are drastically reduced in winter, but not everyone is put off by the snow and ice: the much anticipated yearly I-cycle was scheduled for the following weekend, where hundreds come to watch intrepid cyclists do laps of an ice rink on wheels. Bike Pirates is part of a lively cycle culture and lifestyle in the city; it’s not just about fixing bikes, but also riding them, growing things and eating together (they have a communal garden and often cook for everyone at the workshop sessions).

An organic outgrowth of Bike Pirates, Bike Sauce spent a few years in the pipeline and moved into new premises – a former funeral home in East Toronto – last Spring. Once again, the space is well laid out, with plenty of room for work stands and tools sensibly placed and labelled all around the room. Anibal, one of the founders, was happy to down tools and explain the technicalities of setting up the project over a cup of coffee. Making it clear from the beginning to local bike shops that you’re not competition is really important, he says. As he pointed out, the DIY sector is not taking money away from bike shops, which make most of their money from sales of new bikes and repairs for those who are not interested in learning about fixing their own bike. Setting up a good relationship with local bike shops from the beginning is vital – they achieved this by going round to introduce themselves, with a business card explaining briefly what they’re doing. This way bike shops know who you are and what you do, plus they have your number on hand, so will happily pass you on unwanted parts rather than dump them. Bike Sauce began advertising themselves and gathering parts and tools long before they actually had a dedicated workspace: they stocked things and worked out of a member’s garage in the meantime. Anibal is wary of government grants and from the beginning wanted Bike Sauce to be able to generate the cash it needs for survival through its own activities, rather than growing complacent (and being accountable to the city or the government) on grant funding. This seems to be working, though the real test will be the bike sales in Spring, which is just around the corner. If you come in to repair your bike, rather than paying a yearly membership or a flat rate for a session, Bike Sauce ask for a donation each time you come in: as much or as little as you can afford. Your time is also valuable: you could volunteer at a repair session or come to a bike build, where salvaged bikes are repaired for sale.

Even with such a proliferation of not-for-profit bike projects in Montréal and Toronto, cycle culture remains marginal in Canada as is the rest of the world. In some ways this is a blessing: it allows for the creation of vibrant sub-cultures based around a common marginalised passion and it allows cyclists to remain radical, outside the establishment, to question the status quo. Even if Bike Sauce could have benefitted from funding, Anibal was against it, preferring to remain free, not wanting to be bought. In a world still so dominated by the capitalist ethic, it is nigh-on impossible to set up a successful project whilst remaining outside the money-making rat race. These projects exist, yet they struggle; they are barnacles [1] on the great sick ship of capitalism. Some projects rely on outside organisations for survival; Right to Ride needs Concordia University’s space, funding and goodwill. Others like Bike Sauce, have deliberately chosen to remain outside this. The not-for-profit bike repair movement will never interest investors; but it is a growing force questioning the values by which we judge societal worth. When everything else grinds to a halt, one thing is for sure; bicycle wheels will still be turning.

[1] Alternative use of term ‘Barnacles’: the Bike Pirates’ term for people who turn up expecting help to fix their bike, sucking energy and not putting much back into the project

The fling was flung, here are the pictures!

2011-05-16T23:19:00.015+01:00

Big thanks to everyone who came on the Spring Fling ride, and nice one to Fin for the pictures.We had a really great day and we hope all you did too. Dare I say it, best FP ride yet?

As always, send us any ideas for rides, and watch this space for the next event...

Postcard of woman cycling on Birmingham's Hagley Road, 1905

2011-05-09T12:32:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Connecting Histories for this picture, please have a look at the site for more details about the postcard and what they do.

Trixi mirrors: sign the petition

2011-05-04T21:24:00.003+01:00

April saw yet another death of a female cyclist in London. Paula Jurek joined the increasingly long list of women knocked off their bikes and killed by left turning lorries.

Heavy goods vehicles are proportionally more likely to be involved in collisions with cyclists due to their lack of peripheral vision, a factor which can be remedied by trixi mirrors. These mirrors are installed at junctions and can be used by drivers to get a clear view to their left as they make turns. They are cheap, easy to install, and prevent accidents.

A limited number of trixi mirrors are used in London, but the process of installing new ones has stumbled to a halt, and those that remain are often in poor condition.

Please take some time to sign this petition calling for more trixi mirrors in London, with a bit of luck we might see them in Birmingham too someday.

Bikes and Bits: Don't get your knickers in a twist!

2011-04-28T15:21:00.001+01:00

Lately I have been complaining a lot about my bike, it's too big for me and I get sore wrists and shoulders on long rides. I can cope with this because I'm too lazy to sort out a different bike, I just whinge a lot. However, last year, on a ride to Knowle, I experienced discomfort on my bike which I never want to go through again: an attack of the nether regions! That's right, I got some serious vulva pain and I want to (over)share my experiences of how to avoid it. Riding a bike without giving your sensitive areas proper consideration can be exceedingly uncomfortable and very off putting, so it's worth addressing, especially if you are new to cycling.

There are loads of saddles marketed to women but lots of them are ridiculously huge, jelly like contraptions which are not suitable for long rides. Then there are those that are marketed to women as a confidence trick; they are exactly the same as the boys' version, just a bit shorter in the nose and more expensive. This article, which I think is American, offers lots of good saddle selection and general bike fitting advice. I use a Brooks B17 about which I have no complaints, in fact I have a possibly misguided faith in my leather saddle as helping to protect from vaginal complaints by virtue of it being a natural, breathable fibre? Leaving saddles behind though, in my experience the first thing you need to get right is underwear, whatever saddle you use.

Regardless of what style of pants you wear, the bottom bit of your knickers that sits over your vulva is usually double layered; what I think is essential for cycling is that this double layer of fabric is stitched down on all sides. Sometimes the fabric will be unsecured at one end or at the sides and over time it will crinkle and wrinkle and, when you are cycling, will form an uncomfortable, lumpy layer against your labia. (My downfall on the way to Knowle).

Laura advises that as a teenager, she occasionally made the mistake of long rides in a g-string. Do not do this. The bigger the knicker, the less you chafe. On longer rides, some people have trouble with seams rubbing as well. To avoid this, and fabric bunching up, we usually go for seam free undies. Biking can result in, ahem, a hot and sweaty undercarriage; pants made from natural fibres like cotton and bamboo can help keep things daintily irritation/thrush free. Cotton can be quite thick, however, and so one of the worst 'lumpy labia' offenders. Watch out for that.

Of course, you can always go for cycling shorts, especially if you're starting to go further. They're designed for minimal chafing, and come with a special pad, called a chamoix (because it used to be made of goat leather) that cushions your genital area and bum. If you're shy of the lycra warrior look, they're perfectly comfortable worn stealthily under regular clothes. You might feel like you are wearing a nappy but it won't be obvious to others, we promise. One thing to look out for when purchasing shorts is the elastic on the end of the leg, if it's too tight you get uncomfortable little sausages at the tops of your thighs. Cycling shorts should be worn without underpants, but keen users recommend slathering your bits in vaseline or any number of specialist anti-chafing potions like nappy rash cream.

Hopefully this will help you have a pleasant vaginal experience while out on your bike, although, as far as I'm concerned the mythical bicycle instigated orgasm is a patriarchal fantasy designed to stop women cycling on 'moral' grounds. Sorry girls, can't help you achieve that one!

Femme Pédale’s Spring Fling - here's the plan

2011-04-20T18:16:00.004+01:00

We start off with a few miles along the Rea Valley/No. 5 Sustrans route enjoying the lovely Cannon Hill and Hazelwell Parks. At Lifford Lane we get off the No. 5 and take a nice little shortcut that brings us out in Kings Norton, avoiding the busy bits of Cotteridge.

We keeping going through Kings Norton along Primrose Hill and approximately 5 miles after leaving MAC we’re in the countryside. We keep heading south along Icknield Street until we get to the excellent Coach and Horses pub. They’ve got a lovely garden and seem very bike friendly (eight bikes there this Sunday, not including ours!), so, seems like a nice place to stop for a drink and a munch.

Having refreshed ourselves it’s left along Weatheroak Hill and Hill Lane, then up Chapel Lane and Middle Lane heading north towards the city. Once we get back to Kings Norton we cut back to Lifford Lane and then we’re on the No. 5 again back to MAC (the slightly rubbish map shows the countryside section of the ride).

The route is around 15 miles and we’ll be setting a nice gentle pace. There are a couple of ups and steep downs, not recommended if this is the first time you’ve got on a bike in a few years, but otherwise fine. We’ll be checking your bikes, especially your brakes, before we set off, so you’ll know that everything is in good working order.

How does this sound? Any comments from our gracious readers are very much appreciated. If you don’t feel so confident about things like junctions and roundabouts please let us know (on the day is fine), we will support you in whatever way you like, from buddying up to get across, to completely stopping traffic. There’s nothing big or scary on this route, but one thing I’ve learnt recently that’s worth remembering is that you always feel a lot more confident cycling in a big group. And it’s more fun!

So remember…

May 7^th – 1pm – Midlands Arts Centre

Who needs Venice

2011-04-19T00:01:00.002+01:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure in taking part in a canal bike ride organized by Val from Pushbikes, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum and Saheli. For me at least, it was not a pleasant start to the morning: I forgot that the clocks had changed overnight. Halfway through my toast realization dawned, cue frantic cycling and confusion due to not checking where I was meant to be going. Oopps.

I was just about in time to help with some seat post adjustments and dérailleur tweeks, and then we were off. We split into groups to account for differing pace and experience; the group I was in was joined at Fazeley Street by another party cycling from the Midlands Arts Centre and we continued on together, enjoying the old-industrial beauty of Birmingham’s canal network. Interrupted only by a puncture, repaired at lightning speed by Rob, we made our way smoothly into Salford Park (I almost fell off my bike but I don’t think too many people noticed).

The two groups re-joined, and after a yummy lunch courtesy of the organisers, it was back on to the canals. As all 30 riders cycled the final stages together the sun finally came out and there was that great care-free balmy Sunday feeling in the air. It felt really excellent to be cycling in a big group away from all the pressures of traffic, and to be cycling for the pleasure of it rather than to get somewhere on time.

So, big thanks to Val and Pushbikes, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum, and Saheli – who actually provided a lot of the bikes used on the ride. It's so great to learn about a women's organisation that is doing such important work and sees cycling as a part of this. It made me really happy that so many women were out on the ride, especially those who weren't regulars on two wheels. It's really enjoyable seeing others making the transition from cycling being something that is scary and hard work to something that they can feel confident about and enjoy.

Also, a heartfelt thank you to the lady who leant me a pair of gloves!

Femme Pédale’s Spring Fling

2011-03-30T23:16:00.004+01:00

Ladies, get out of the city for an afternoon and join us for our next women's bike ride.

May 7th - 1pm - outside Midlands Arts Centre (Cannon Hill Park).

Expect an easy pace with experienced ride leaders offering lots of support to less confident riders. Enjoy around 15 miles of cycling out into the lovely countryside around Birmingham, with plenty of stops along the way. We will give your bike a full safety check before setting off, leaving from and returning to MAC (please note, this is an on-road ride).

Bring water and snacks, your bike, and some friends!

We are really excited about this ride and want it to be as open and accessible as possible. Any questions, any reassurances, anything at all...let us know!

See you on May 7th!

An ode to the petite reine

2011-03-29T10:53:00.007+01:00

After the juddering wooden, Dandy Horse,

And the rattling Boneshaker – even worse –

Otherwise called the French velocipede,

In a Coventry workshop there came a new breed,

An invention of which we’d never seen the like:

JK Starley’s incredible Safety Bike.

The basic principles of the sewing machine,

A chain drive powered by feet, not steam,

Caused all other two-wheeled models to abort

And cleared the way for revolutionary transport.

Workshops mushroomed in Coventry town

And through the midlands, till all around

Frames were welded, steel tubes grafted,

Wheels carefully built, components crafted.

And soon all sorts of people found a way

To buy a bike, saving up a few months’ pay.

Men and women, rich and poor

Threw all distinctions to the floor

In adopting the new two-wheeled contraption

They opened the door to freer social interaction.

Women, for the first time, claimed the right

To cast off their skirts, heavy and tight,

And wear trousers, or rational dress,

To be free and mobile, like all the rest.

By the beginning of the twentieth century,

The bike had gained its place in society.

Although some rich families had a motor car,

The bicycle was more popular by far.

Cycling around was only sensible

In a world where the bike was indispensible.

At this moment when cycling could rise no higher,

A journalist, hoping to start a media empire,

Dreamed up a race of mythical proportion

A trial demanding superhuman strength

And thus threw a simple object into wild distortion

By pushing men to pedal all of France’s length.

The race that Desgranges inaugurated

Had nothing in common with the Tour today

These men signed up to be flagellated

By stages of up to 450 k.

They were on fixed gears, like all bikes at the time,

With a low ratio on one side, so when they had to climb

They’d hop off, switch their wheel around

And ascend, then switch it back to go down.

If a spoke snapped or they got a flat

No team car arrived with an identikit

The rule was, they had to fix it by the road side

One racer even re-welded his frame mid-ride.

The Tour grew more and more epic every year

Even after the derailleur, it stayed fixed gear.

They battled the Alps and the Pyrenees,

For 30 days brought France to its knees

In admiration of the men who took up the fight

To battle the mountains, long into the night.

To quote Roland Barthes, a myth was created

Cycling stopped being normal and became heroic

And all around the world the word was propagated:

Cyclists were strong and brave and stoic.

And within a generation the damage was done

Desgranges and his men had carefully spun

A scared image of the simple vélo

And made heroes of these men in yellow.

All this was timed nicely with the rise of the car

Ford pumped them out, they travelled wide and far

Everyday cycling was pushed to the margins

The tick of the freewheel drowned out by engines.

Perhaps it takes more than a media stunt

To explain why cycling is now defunct

To justify the aggression, the sarcastic wave

The car-drivers’ heckles of “wow, you’re brave!”

But today, when you jump on your bike

Let the others choke and splutter all that they like

Remember the bike’s the real transport solution

And each turn of the pedals is a revolution.

BICYCLE RIGHTS!

2011-03-24T12:08:00.003Z

This is utterly relevant to our cause, cos Carrie Brownstein from Sleater Kinney is involved, and I bet she kills on two wheels.

Wheels of Change - Sue Macy

2011-03-23T21:10:00.004Z

I was selling some books on amazon and ended up buying this instead (still not sure how that happened).

Looks good eh! The history of women and bicycles.

This will soon be finding its way to the Birmingham Bike Foundry library, so give us a shout if you'd like to borrow it.

Susan B. Anthony: "(the bicycle) has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world."

Repairing a puncture? Why, what an obviously sexual experience!

2011-03-22T20:17:00.001Z

There's a cycling purchase I made a few months ago which I keep meaning to write about (and it’s not in praise of). Knog porno patches.

So, I ran out of patches after an unfortunate affair involving tire levers that seemed to have mysteriously sharpened themselves (in case you're wondering, there is a limit to how many times you can patch an inner tube before it becomes unusable). A fellow Birmingham Bike Foundry-er said something along the lines of 'Hey, we're doing an order, why not get a Knog puncture repair kit? Everything they make is awesome' – I believe meaning lights. Little did I know...

Porno, as you might expect, means pictures of naked ladies. On patches. My first impression was that this was slightly odd, but maybe there was some kind of message here, something along the lines of women should be happy with their bodies whatever shape and size, we shouldn't be ashamed of being sexually liberated, go women cyclists-you rock...second impression, yeah, it's really not about that.

A quick google reveals that most of the marketing around the patches focuses on them being a bit sexy and a bit naughty.

A few choice quotes:

"It's proven that these saucy patches are lurking between the tube and tyre of over 90% of parish ministers' pushies. Oh heavens, another puncture!"

"A lab test revealed that if you give these kinky self-adhesive patches to girls they’ll fix their bike puncture quick smart and ride away with a bike as sexy on the inside as the outside, and that if you give them to boys they’ll stick them on their nipples. Nuff said."

Feel free to say I'm being uptight (it wouldn't be the first time), but I'm not really onboard for images of naked women being used to sell puncture repair kits, regardless of how clever the marketing is. It seems to me that images of naked women should be used to sell products relating to being a woman and being naked (do you think the Knog designers repair punctures naked? Personally I’d feel a little exposed). There is no empowering undercurrent here, this is just women’s bodies used to make money.

Even if you don’t see the design as problematic from a female perspective, is it really necessary to sex up puncture repair? I’m failing to see the point.

It should be noted, the patches feature naked cartoons, not actual photographs, but I don't think this really changes the issue. The cartoon women all seem to have skinny, shapeless bodies with tiny breasts…further weirdness. I believe there is also a male version, but I'm yet to properly see the images as they seem to feature less on internet marketing.

Looking at the rest of the kit the contents are less sexualised, but definitely not so useful in a puncture situation. The patches are pre-glued, so vulcanising solution and chalk are not necessary. There is a bit of sandpaper, but a crayon for marking punctures is absent. The tire levers are frankly crap. I’ve found that they just aren’t rigid enough to use on racing tire beading, and they do not have the useful little hooks that clip onto spokes. Unless you’re one of those people with steel hands who need a lever once in a blue moon, you’re not going to find these make for an easy time.

So - sexist, a bit tasteless but harmless, silly and impractical...or a great product? Any ideas?

Canal Ride next Sunday

2011-03-21T10:44:00.004Z

Hi everybody, a word from Pushbikes, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum and Saheli on a canal ride taking place next weekend…

“A 12 mile ride starting and ending at Farm Park in Sparkbrook.

Traffic free for most of the way on the Birmingham and Fazeley & Bham and Worcester canal.

The aim is to encourage more people to use their bicycles: as well as being fun, its healthy and cheap!

It's free to join the ride and there are 18 bikes to borrow at no cost- but these must be booked by 22nd. The towpaths are in good condition but can be uncomfortable on fast road bikes with narrow high pressure tyres: commuting, hybrid, touring & mtb bikes are fine.

As most folk will not be regular cyclists we're planning to ride in two groups: - one riding slowly and carefully and walking the trickier bits - a faster group of experienced cyclists. Each group will have a leader & two 'sweepers' to ensure no one gets left behind.

We recommend you bring tools and have insurance - it's usually included in household policies - though this may not be possible for many. The experienced riders will provide any reasonable help on the day with punctures etc.

You'll also need to bring something to drink and your lunch as the route doesn't pass shops or cafes.”

Please check out this link for more info:
http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sparky/

Also…it’s Spring! Well, I’m not sure if it technically is but it’s definitely warm and sunny. Time to do some more rides. Keep reading for details of the next Femme Pédale event – any suggestions for where to go? I’m thinking countryside.

Bicycology come to Birmingham

2011-02-26T19:11:00.001Z

Last weekend Birmingham played host to Bicycology, a collective of cyclists formed via a ride to the 2005 Gleneagles G8. The group has continued to meet and put on various rides and events; their activities range from film screenings to building bike powered generators, and from bike jewellery to accessible long distance rides

Their weekend gathering, before Bicycology went into important planning mode, kicked off with a public film screening at The Edge – Friction Arts in Digbeth. There were plenty of Birmingham cyclists in attendance; it was great to see a big range of people and bikes come together for an evening dedicated to being on two wheels.

The topics of the films put on (chosen using an innovatively democratic selection process) included street trials, amazing bike tricks, the building of tall bikes and other odd creations, asylum seeker-bike workshop projects, the best cities for cycling, and many more. Good stuff!

So, big thanks to Bicycology for the evening, and for adding to the amount of cycling stuff taking place in our fair city. Looking forward to finding out what you're going to do next!

For anybody who wasn't at the film screening, please check out the collectives' website.

As well as some interesting info about how Bicycology came to be and what they do, there are some excellent guide pages you can download. You've got your mechanics guides, bike arts and crafts, alternative energy, anarchy...what more could you want?

http://www.bicycology.org.uk/

Birmingham Critical Mass - THIS FRIDAY

2011-02-01T23:18:00.002Z

Location: St Philip’s Cathedral, (Pigeon Park)
Day: First Friday of every month
Time: 17.30-6.00 meet then ride.

Critical mass is a bike ride takes place in cities all over the world.

It's group of people who decide to ride around town together in the same direction,
there's no leader, and there's no set route.

With enough cyclists the ride goes 'critical' and the bikes can ride together in safety.

Anyone can do it, you don't need a great bike, in fact it's any non motorised vehicle at all.

Let's get a Femme contingent on the ride!

Best Birmingham rides? Any suggestions!

2011-01-09T16:54:00.004Z

I have come to a realisation, an average week's cycling for me (daily trips to work and the city centre) probably isn't doing all that much for me in exercise terms. I'm not saying it's pointless, I'm definitely fitter than I would be if I didn't cycle at all. The thing is, the routes I take are generally pretty flat, and seldom more than 5 miles each way; I'm rarely getting out of breath!

New vow, unless we are once again hit by crazy snow, I will do one proper ride a week. Right now I'm not talking 70mile plus day long adventures, just a few hours good riding. Question is, where? Femme Pédale readers/riders, please help!

I've tried out the city's Sustrans routes, good for getting from A to B, but I'm really looking to get out into the countryside a bit more. Today I have cycled from Stirchley to the Bittell Reservoirs (see seasonally inaccurate pic), Lickey, and then back via Cofton and Longbridge. I'd thoroughly recommend this ride, very scenic and some not insignificant hills to get your heart going - if you're me anyway. However, riding somewhere new every week really appeals.

So, where do you like to cycle? Please leave any suggestions in comment form, and hopefully I'll soon be posting some pictures and accounts of rides in the lovely countryside surrounding our city.

Brake for CAKE! December 12th

2010-12-07T11:14:00.000Z

Don't forget our fun family friendly cake orientated bike ride this Sunday! See you there.

Stylish cycling

2010-11-26T11:56:00.004Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2010/aug/03/best-cycling-gear-women

I think it's cool the guardian does frequent features on bikes and cycling lifestyles. I especially like encouraging the culture of the bicycle, for example in this article which lists the top 10 cycling novels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/oct/14/top-10-cycling-novels

personally I find the selection of women's clothes pricy and not very pretty, but maybe it speaks to certain female cyclists. In any case I'm not sure a reflective sailor bib is going to draw new female recruits to the cycling world...

We weren't joking when we said Birmingham is a crap place to cycle!

2010-11-19T14:47:00.002Z

Some of you may have seen this Midlands Today report on Birmingham Cycling already, but if you haven't it's worth taking a look...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAcmlJeXfUQ

P. S. note the single woman amongst all the shots of cyclists.

Ladies Brake for Cake!

2010-11-15T16:03:00.003Z

So, here is the latest fun filled event/extreme weather endurance test from Femme Pédale:

Meet up for Birmingham's female cyclists,

Cannon Hill Park Bandstand/Tea Rooms,

Sunday December 12th, 1pm.

Join fellow female cyclists to share bike stories, problems, and triumphs.

We want to know what women cyclists want, and what we as a group can do about it!

Cyclists of all abilities welcome – no matter if you ride everyday, or once in a blue moon.

If the weather is good, join us for a wintry picnic in the bandstand, if it's poor, a cup of tea in the tea rooms! Afterwards there will be a gentle cycle ride for those inclined through Cannon Hill Park along the Rea Valley Cycle Route. Both the event and the ride are child friendly.

P.S. If you'd like a pdf of the event flier, please email, and there might be a prize for the most realistic bike cake...

Cycling in Paris

2010-11-11T22:15:00.002Z

This is officially a blog for women cyclists in Birmingham and the midlands but as many issues around cycling are international (and I like to maintain my link to my former home) I thought I'd make a long-overdue offering.
It has been a joy discovering a new city by bike. The freedom of moving across the varied and vibrant places which make up Paris, my Ato Z always to hand for the inevitable (but thankfully less and less frequent) moments when I get lost, has allowed me to appreciate the city altogether differently than if I'd opted for the underground solution to moving around. The character of different quarters, the individuality of each place and most importantly the transition between them becomes apparent by bike in ways in which can't be achieved by the teleportation effect of motorised transport. And it is officially quicker than anything else (independently verified by my race with a scooter and the metro to the pub last weekend).

Of course, here like elsewhere, we're still the minority, and the discriminated minority at that. Drivers don't give you enough room, busses cut you off, motorbikes and scooters swerve dangerously into cycling lanes. The most shocking thing that's happened since arriving here was being stopped by a young policeman for cutting through a red light. He dangled the vague possibility of an 80 euro fine before me as he unashamedly flirted his way through one of the most bizarre conversations of my life. I was completely taken aback by such an unprofessionalism but have since discovered that sexism of this type is common currency amongst French police officers.

Yet being in a minority can have its advantages. Since arriving here I've been warmly welcomed into a community of like-minded cyclists - women as well as men - who are interested, like me, in fixing bikes, teaching others to do likewise, campaigning for better provisions for cyclists, etc. If our numbers weren't so small I wouldn't have had the chance to feel integrated so quickly, in such a big and anonymous city. The mutual support network cycling creates is perhaps one of the most international and valuable aspects to the "little queen" (as the French affectionately term the bicycle) that I can think of.

Reclaim the Night - bikes and beyond

2010-10-13T16:52:00.005+01:00

For those not familiar, Reclaim the Night marches started in the 1970s as a response to the insecurity the majority of women felt then, and continue to feel now, on the streets at night. The movement has evolved to focus on the wider issues of rape and male violence, and this Saturday scores of women will march through Birmingham's streets, continuing this important campaign for safety and equality.

Wait...did I say march? Why am I talking about marching when this is a cycling blog? Marching is effectively glorified walking, and as we well know, cycling is much more awesome than walking.

To answer my own question, if you'll excuse me, Reclaim the Night may not be a cycling event, but it addresses many of the issues we face as female cyclists, and of course, simply as women! (And also we kinda stole the name for our rides).

The spaces that we ride (or walk) through everyday, are often those in which we do not feel safe. This could be because it's late at night, because we experience physical danger from aggressive drivers, or verbal abuse because of our sex.

We also feel unsafe because we are told we are unsafe; as a group we are disempowered by society's view of our inherent womanly weakness. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm really sick of being told that I'm more at risk because of my unfortunate possession of female body parts. Whether it's where or when we can walk at night, or the fact that female cyclists or more likely to be causalities in bike-car collisions. The truth is that in some ways we are more at risk, and this really needs to change, but so does this perception of the weak defenceless woman handed down to us.

Whether on wheels or feet it feels really great to come together and say that we should not be at risk because we are women, but also to say that as women we can be strong, we can and will take action to reclaim the streets as a place where we are, and feel, safe.

So...before I start going on about 'sisterhood' and whatnot – here are some practicalities!

Reclaim the Night – Birmingham – October 16^th

Meet 7pm Victoria Square for a women only march

Mixed sex rally and after party with music, food and stalls

A Bicycle Parade

2010-09-17T20:54:00.007+01:00

Halariously, if you're organising any kind of ambulant gathering in Northern Ireland, you've got to fill out an 8-page application form to hold a parade (two pages of which are dedicated to the list of pipe bands who will be attending, with names and towns on origin). So, in order for a few of us to cycle in opposition to a new dual carriageway and in support of a railway (yeah, we don't have one) this weekend, I had to go to the local police office, fill out the form and have a brief meeting with a sargeant (who also called me later on that day, to make sure we'd be cycling in single file).

This is is typical of Northern Ireland's discomfort with a) activism or political belief outside sectarianism or mainstream politics b) bicycles - not the vehicle as such, but more the idea of riding one along any road where cars are present. Such an odd sight is the bicycle here that today on my rounds in town I spotted not one other cyclist (despite the rare sunshine) and I was also the object of a random scream at close quarters from young men in a car (this happens quite a lot) as well as a surprised word of encouragement from a friendly pedestrian.

Tomorrow's ride will take place along a 27 mile section of the A road soon to be made redundant by a brand new, £840 million dual carriageway to snake along within a stone's throw from the existing road. By cycling, I hope our bicycles, balloons and colourful attire will bring attention to the madness of investing in such a project at this time and highlight the alternatives which do deserve investment: cycling and public transport. An article in the Belfast Telegraph last week displayed some awareness of the country's unhealthy obsession with cars: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/love-affair-with-cars-driving-us-towards-disaster-14936618.html but didn't go as to as to suggest cancelling existing road projects, which those in the deprived North West consider it is their right to have.

The capacity for bicycles to play a role in environmental activism is huge: they will also be a key part of the solution to travelling when the fossil fuels finally run out. Yes, we will travel shorter distances, and if we want to go far, well then we'll have to set aside a few days, but we'll be happier, fitter... and more in touch with our local communities.

Rainy Night Ride

2010-09-16T12:22:00.002+01:00

Big thanks to all who came riding with us last Friday. We got absolutely soaked and had to stop in the pub half way - but hey, for once the weather delivered what we promised! We plan to experiment further with tempting fate until we find a way of securing sunshine for every ride in future. Igor took photos and I'll post them soon as I get them from him - thanks Igor!

Next time we're going to do a daytime Sunday ride since it's starting to get dark and we would like to include families - if you ride with children get in touch with your top tips for an enjoyable all ages ride.

Tool club is tonight, 14 Rea Street South in the Bike Foundry workshop. It's for independent spannerers - bring your bike mechanic knowledge and make friends with our tools.

Tool Club!

2010-09-09T12:25:00.003+01:00

Yes, it's that time of week again. Drop in from 5-8pm to get help with your bike woes and use our tools. See here for what we did at our first session. Let us know how we can help you so you don't end up like me before I started learning some bike maintenance:

AKA absolutely clueless!

We are currently working from Muthers Studios, 14 Rea Street South in Digbeth. View map here.
Contact us at info[at]birminghambikefoundry.org or femmepedale[@]gmail.com. x

Standing up to street harassment

2010-09-08T10:25:00.002+01:00

101 Wankers is a new-ish blog in the mold of Holla Back, which deals with the invective hurled at one female cyclist in London. From misogynist filth to dangerous ignorance of the highway code, it details an unpleasant aspect of pedal powered life that we all contend with. It could make for pretty offputting reading for the more timid novice cyclist. Yet the blog also shows the very positive side of life in the saddle; it talks about cycling solidarity and when the author's bike was stolen, LGFSS message board users offered to sort her out a new one. It is sad that the simple act of getting on a bike whilst female seems to make one a target for abusive behavior. It is also brilliant that getting on a bike whilst any gender gives you the opportunity to join a huge gang of rather more community spirited people (of course, getting on a bike doesn't necessarily prevent you from being an arsehole either).

I was reminded of this cycling through Oxford a few days ago, when I received reverse street harassment from a small child. He stopped on the pavement and sang at the top of his voice: "LADY ON A LOVELY BICYCLE! I AM GOING TO CROSS THE ROAD SAFELY! LOVELY AND SAFE!" It was ridiculously saccharine and totally awesome. The kid reminded me that I've been lucky in having spent a lot of time in places like Oxford, York, and Cambridge, where 15 to 25% of journeys take place by bike (not to mention Holland. I have never had so much as a dirty look there. Gotta love the Dutch.). It's not that you don't get hassled, but the hassle is so much less frequent. This makes me feel that the more of an everyday presence bicyclists are, the less acceptable it is to bully them. Wherever you are, taking a journey on your bike doesn't just get you from A to B, it makes life a little bit more lovely and safe for all of us.

By the by, if you'd like to enjoy some cycling solidarity with some lovely, safe, community spirited people, our Reclaim the Bad Weather ride kicks off this Friday at 7pm, starting from Birmingham Central Library. All levels and types of cyclist welcome; all you need is a bike, lights, and possibly a waterproof.

(How to Avoid) Riding Around With One's Bum Hanging Out

2010-09-06T11:22:00.005+01:00

A recent survey of my wardrobe has revealed that my increased rate of cycling, whilst filling me with joyful good health, has taken a sad sartorial toll on my trousers. Virtually all of them, from baggy to skinny cuts, have rips and worn patches, generally concentrated around the rear and crotch area. They look as if I have had some sort of appallingly embarrassing and traumatic accident, rather than a summer of pedal powered fun. One answer to this problem is to wear a skirt or (gasp) cycling shorts, tights or baggies. However, much of my cycling is everyday and spontaneous, and often I'm not willing to go home to grab a change of clothes when my plans suddenly change. So, the jeans will have to be mended repeatedly. I learned the hard way that quick and dirty mends with whatever fabric is lying about and a bit of running stitch can fail disastrously. Here's my guide to bombproof mends to rips in those "difficult" places.

You will need:
A patch, made of quite heavy fabric (you can use some jeans which are beyond saving, or pick something cheap and cheerful up from a charity shop). The patch should be at least 2.5 centimetres bigger than the hole on all sides.
Sewing scissors, pins, needle and thread (in a contrasting colour to the trousers for the adventurous)
A sewing machine, if you have access to one.

1) Turn your ripped up trousers inside out (take them off first).
2)Pin your patch over the rip.
3) Turn 'em right way out again.
4a) If you don't have a sewing machine, cover the whole area of the rip with a good, solid darning stitch (in this case, these are just fairly tight lines of running stitch, with the stiches in each line staggered against the ones in the last line).
4b) If you do have a sewing machine, you can use a darning stitch setting to cover the whole area of the hole OR
4c) You can also use a zig zag stitch to sew the edges of the tear to the patch. Use multiple lines of stitching to make the mend extra strong and reinforce the area.
5) Turn the trousers back inside out, secure the end of your thread nice and tightly, and trim the edges of the patch down to size.

That's it. The trews will live to fight another day.

Of course, the best way to avoid this kind of nonsense is to dispense with clothes altogether. Economical, but a little chilly.

As always, safety first!

2010-09-01T18:41:00.001+01:00

As those of you who are acquainted with us will know, here at Femme Pedale we always put safety first. Well, it's in our top ten.

Couple of safety issues have reared their ugly heads recently – although these particular concerns seem almost redundant in the current lovely weather.

1. Lights – annoying but necessary

I know this is thoroughly depressing, put its starting to get dark earlier. Without lights cars, who seem to regard us as invisible fairly often anyway, have no chance of seeing us. I mention lights specifically thinking about the next Femme Pedale ride, 'Reclaim the Bad Weather Bike Ride' – with a 7pm start time, if you're coming, bring your lights!

2. Brakes in the rain – a story of personal tragedy

I've broken my bike, argh! This is a cautionary tale of why you should make sure BOTH your brakes actually work. So I'm cycling along in the rain, decide to pull over, apply my brakes – BOOM – my bike's balancing on its front wheel. (I'm told this is a 'nose manual'.) Landing on my feet with cat like grace (ahem) I then realise I've bent my forks so far back my wheel's almost touching the frame. Bike's out of action, and now I sadly watch all the people having fun cycling around in the sun.

Really should have fixed my dodgy back brake.

Anyway, bring your lights, make sure your brakes work, and join us...

September 10^th – 7pm Central Library (also finishing point), for

Reclaim The Bad Weather Bike Ride!

Off cycle tripping

2010-08-24T23:08:00.002+01:00

At this late stage in the summer (or is it early autumn already?) I've finally loaded up my bike to head off into the hills and eventually get back to Ireland. I'll be on the go for a week or so and will try to update you on my progress or at least let you know how it went when I get to Ireland. I'm sadly leaving the midlands for France in September but will be avidly keeping up with this blog and the progress of Birmingham Bike Foundry from afar.

Be a bike training guinea pig...for free!

2010-08-23T22:28:00.005+01:00

Birmingham Bike Foundry are developing a new Bike Basics training course, and we are in need of some test subjects.

In exchange for three hours of your time, and a little feedback for us at the end, you can learn how to perform an 'M' check to ensure your bike is safe to ride and identify common problems, make basic adjustments to your bike, and repair a pesky puncture.

In future we will be charging for this course, so this is a great opportunity to get some essential bike maintenance training for free.

The session will be help at 1pm next Thursday (26th August) at the Birmingham Bike foundry premises: Muther's Studios, 14 Rea Street South, Digbeth.

If you would like to take part please email us at femmepedale@googlemail.com. We will take the first five interested and contact you to confirm your place. Men are welcome too!

It's Puncture Time!

2010-08-22T20:48:00.026+01:00

I've had a ridiculous spate of flats this past month so I thought it was time to update the old puncture repair kit. Afterall, it's impossible to do-it-yourself if you don't have the right tools for the job!

Things you might need:

repair kit which should contain, in order of use; a crayon to mark where the hole is, a small piece of sandpaper or other rough material to prepare the inner tube, rubber patches, rubber vulcanising solution (glue that sticks rubber together) and a little bit of chalk or talcum block to stop sticking to the tyre afterwards. Sometimes kits come with tyre levers, if not...
at least two tyre levers, maybe three if you have a tough tyre to get off
spare inner tube if the old one is beyond repair
15mm spanner to take off your wheel (most rear axles use this size, sometimes the front will need a 14mm. You can use an adjustable spanner if that's all you have but you will cause excessive wear on track nuts after a while.
then of course you will need access to a pump to inflate the darned thing again...

What every cyclist should know about flat tyres is a useful article if you're unsure of where to begin but expect a Femme Pedale guide to fixing your flats to follow! x

N.B. Pink was the available colour in decent tyre levers, this was not intentional to match my bedspread.

Our First Tool Club

2010-08-22T20:10:00.006+01:00

On Thursday, Birmingham Bike Foundry had our first tool club (this is where for £10 a year you can have access to our workshop and tools for one evening a week and work on your bike under our mechanics' guidance). It's a really useful way of building up your confidence with your maintenance skills but not having to worry about messing up your bike or buying expensive tools. Anyway, this is an anecdote not an advert! I decided to help out at as many as possible to build up my own confidence and to be on hand for those ladies who want a bit of help or bike-related chatter. Our first customer was the lovely Kay, who had been bought a bike for her birthday but found that she didn't like the old-style gear setup and wanted to convert to a single speed to make life easier for herself on her short, flat commute to work. Kay decided she wanted to learn how to do it herself so she came along to the workshop to use our tools and get some advice. Not afraid to get her hands dirty, she took off her gear changers and gear cables and then using a chain breaker/chain tool she disconnected the chain to take off her derailleur. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to take off the cassette this time round but we have a shiny new freewheel to put on next time. Kay put her chain back on, wielding the 15mm spanner like a pro and is now happily cycling around (albeit it in the rain) on her new single speed!

The next tool club will be on Thursday 26th August from 5 until 8pm at our workshop in Digbeth, it's a drop-in session but it's always useful if you e-mail beforehand and let us know what you need help with. I'll be floating around, doing a good job of stripping stuff off and cleaning up old bikes whilst trying to learn how to put things together properly. Oh, and I'll definitely be getting some mudguards back on my two-wheeled friend!

Hope to see you there. x

Reclaim the bad weather bike ride

2010-08-21T10:25:00.003+01:00

The past few days have brought pretty unpleasant cycling. I took my mudguards off on Tuesday as they are a bit broken and have been rubbing on my wheels - I thought I'd cope with few days mud-guard free riding, to give me a chance to get hold of some new fixtures and fittings. WRONG. I spent the whole of a 2 hour meeting on Thursday night with a wet through, muddy bum. I'm just glad those chairs were wipe clean.

With the inevitable approach of another cold, wet autumn how can we keep our cycling momentum going and avoid leaving the bike in the shed until spring? This is my list:

1. Get some mudguards.

2. Get some waterproof trousers.

3. Get a bunch of girls to ride through the rain with you!

As such, please stand notified that the second reclaim the bike ride will take place on 10th September and we really hope it pisses it down!

Back for good

2010-08-09T11:24:00.004+01:00

The Femme Pédale bike gang has been a little out of touch with our blog this summer. We feel pretty bad about it but wait till you hear what we've been up to! First of all we have all been learning new skills as mechanics and Bikeability instructors which has been very exciting; we're looking forward to delivering courses to keen cyclists in our city through Birmingham Bike Foundry. We have been working hard at getting BBF off the ground - you may have seen us out an about, at Stirchley Community Market or with our pedal powered smoothie maker at Cocks Moor Leisure centre. The Bike Foundry now has a workshop space in Digbeth and our mechanics are locked away refurbishing our first seven recycled bikes. We have a new website, which will appear in the next week, the address is www.birminghambikefoundry.org, you can find out about courses, see pictures of the bikes we have for sale and read about upcoming events.

We have also been enjoying a lot of sunny cycle rides, and are planning our next group ride. We hope that lots of you will join us, details will go up this week. Remember you can get in touch with us a femmepedale@gmail.com with suggestions and contributions, questions and comments. The five of us have taken a vow of weekly posts from now on, we promise! We'd also like to start a regular cycling group, for short rides, bike chats and maybe some polo - watch this space.

Isn't it nice to have some company on the road?

2010-07-10T10:28:00.004+01:00

The fair weather cyclists are out again in force and even on the potholed car-tailored streets of Coventry I now pass several cyclists on every journey. I even found myself in a two-wheeled tailback a few days ago. A greater presence of cyclists on the road makes us less invisible and encourages motorists to look out for us, since they're seeing us more regularly. It also creates a good cycling atmosphere, with a solidarity between those who choose to bike, enjoying the sunshine (and those fair weather cyclists perhaps thinking that they should fish their bikes out of their sheds more often...).

But it seems to me that the summer's brought not only a rise in cyclists but also a spike in heckles and comments, of the bike-ist (the word for bike discrimination?) as well as sexist kind. Is it the sunny weather that disposes men in white vans to compulsively whistle or holler at women on bikes? And what impulse makes people (teenage boys, often) want to make unintelligible, distracting noises at cyclists as they fly down a hill? Yet the ubiquitous comments are often harmless, or even funny. Sometimes I get an almost encouraging 'Come on!' with clapping as I'm pedalling up a hill, or 'Isn't the Tour de France over? (No...)' as I nip past a pedestrian. I think what the increase in comments shows is that (as well as the fact that good weather makes people chatty) people find a sgnificant number of bikes on the road a curious and novel phenomenon. The increased presence of bicycles in the summer has a knock-on effect, as people take notice and begin interacting with us. If the numbers of cyclists on the road stayed constant and even increased rather than dipping back down again at the end of the summer, the novelty and therefore the heckling would wear off, as cyclists became a part of everyday life, as much as cars.

The same goes for the sexist comments: women cyclists are still in the minority, so verbal abuse will continue until our numbers our stronger, until we become a 'normal' part of everyday life. There's little I can do (apart from shout back) about the other category of heckles I get (again due to being in a minority): my ginger hair. The scientists say we're only going to get fewer, so that will mean more abuse, until we begin selective breeding...

Recycle Your Old Bikes

2010-07-09T16:09:00.001+01:00

Contact Birmingham Bike Foundry and get involved! x

Ladies who like to Race...

2010-06-29T09:48:00.002+01:00

There is an alleycat race on Friday 9th July in the city centre. Alleycats are all about speed, finding stuff/completeing tasks and being sneaky with your shortcuts to get back first! I quote: "Nobody should end up in the canal, the race has three short canal stages, up and over a bumpy bridge or two to slow the riders down a bit, then back on roads for the fast bit." I've never done one before but it looks like alot of fun (even if I'll be the slowest rider)! If I can get the night off work, I'll definitely be showing my face so I hope some more ladies will too...

For more information check out the thread on the Fixed Gear forum. x

Femme Pedale are famous!

2010-06-20T16:51:00.000+01:00

Well not quite, our escapades are just being blogged in Spain by Urban Bixi Magazine! x

A BIG THANKYOU TO ALL THE RECLAIM RIDERS!!

2010-06-19T12:36:00.000+01:00

Wow, what a great turnout we had considering the weather was absolutely rubbish! But the rain held off for the most part and we had a lovely ride through town, Edgbaston and down to Selly Park finishing with a rest stop at Midlands Art Centre for some much needed refreshment and flapjacks courtesy of our very own Lauren. Thankyou to everyone who came along, it was great to meet new cyclists and we hope to see you again soon. We're going to plan a longer ride for next time so if you have any ideas for a nice route, please do send them in!

Here are some some photographs courtesy of Igor who skidded and photographed his way through the ride:

Night Ride Route

2010-06-17T13:11:00.002+01:00

Sorry, bit of trouble embedding the map earlier!

I rode this route on Tuesday and I hope the weather is as nice on Friday! Starting from town we're taking 'quiet roads', so-called by the Birmingham cycle map. There's a little bit on up-hill, quite bit of down, nothing drastic. There are couple of roads (top of Broad Street, Bristol Road) we'll get off and cross at the lights but generally we'll be on the road and as a big group we'll be able to look out for each other.

I will say that in inviting you to ride with us, Femme Pédalers accept no responsibility for your safety when cycling - please bring helmets and lights and ride with your common sense intact. We will go at a pace that includes everybody - no racing ahead - and are happy to make stops if necessary. If you are not comfortable with riding on the road, we thought we could send a party up the canal route and meet at the Rea route and head to the mac together.

Looking forward to it! See you 7pm for a 7.30 start; our publicity has been a bit confused so we'll have a meeting point at centenary square and one outside the central library too. Look for ladies on bikes with flourecent rosettes (there might even be enough to share).

Leamington Peace Festival Ride

2010-06-16T16:46:00.001+01:00

Hello all!

There will be an informal bike ride to Leamington Peace festival on Sunday 20th June with some Birmingham Bike Foundry members, friends and enthusiasts. We are leaving at 10am from outside the Fighting Cocks public house in Moseley. It should be a lovely ride for those who want to do a middle distance. It will take approx 2.5 hours not including the obligatory rests for snacks and chats. But don't forget to come to Reclaim the Bike on Friday beforehand! x

Think of the Children?

2010-06-10T17:05:00.005+01:00

The other day, listening to a radio programme about working in high finance, I heard a female banker speaking about how she feels that it is perfectly understandable that companies are reluctant to take on employees of her own sex. We are, of course, far less reliable than our male counterparts. Apart from prompting me to give the radio a threatening look, this also got me thinking about why women are considered less dependable employees. The answer, of course, is our annoying tendency to reproduce. But apart from maternity leave women also tend to carry out the more mundane child related tasks, say…The SCHOOL RUN! (Dedicated Dads, please don’t take offence! I generalize for the purposes of valid point making, I hope).

So, the school run. I wonder how much more ‘reliable’ female workers would be deemed if they didn’t have to tackle the chaos that dropping kids off at school can be; even if the kids aren’t driven everyday, it could take just a few late mornings due to missed school buses to build up a reputation.

The answer to the school run problem should be get the kids on the bikes, but lets be honest, in how many parts of Birmingham would you feel safe letting a child out the house in the morning to bike the mean streets on the way to school. We go on about how bad drivers and road layouts make cycling more dangerous generally, but imagine if you were half the size, half as fast, and a lot less confident. There are obviously some kids who are self-assured enough to cycle to school, and going on the pavement is an option, but you don’t see many of them, which I think is pretty understandable.

The lack of kids cycling doesn’t just bode ill for mums dropping them off at school. Although some people (myself included) do start riding bikes as an adult when not having done so as a child, you can assume some link between not cycling as a child and not cycling as an adult. Also, the more kids get used to being driven about, the more future drivers we have on our hands who have no idea what its like to bike in traffic and as such drive like a complete jerk. Let’s look at it like insurance for our collective old age; when I’m the wrong side of 70, pootling around on a shopper with a cat in my bike basket, I want to be around nice friendly drivers!

So, to conclude this ramble, a lot of the things we want to do at femme pedale and Birmingham Bike Foundry will benefit both kids and adults – but I’m going to try to ponder the kids aspect a little more than before.

Blogs

2010-06-08T16:55:00.001+01:00

I am putting together a great list of bike blogs so that we can take inspiration from them and share the treasures we find of course! I spend far too much time looking at nice bikes whilst at work, I'll start posting some more on Mothergirl. x

Reclaim the Bike

2010-06-08T16:12:00.010+01:00

Courtesy of my questionable brain power and Fin Bike Foundry's clever translation to the computer.

Look at our lovely flyer (it doesn't quite fit)! Now there's no excuse not to have the date in your diaries!! Check out the Facebook group for more information. See you next Friday for a lovely ride around Birmingham. (Disclaimer: Central Library, Chamberlain Square NOT Centenary Square as publicised previously by my awful geography).

x

Reclaim the Bike - Women's Evening Ride Friday 18th June

2010-05-25T22:08:00.007+01:00

Calling all ladies!!

Get on your bikes and join us for an evening ride around Birmingham. Meeting at 7pm outside the Central Library, (Disclaimer: Chamberlain Square NOT Centenary Square as publicised previously by my awful geography) on Friday 18th June. Reclaim the night and feel empowered by the freedom of cycling as well as meeting lots of other lovely women cyclists. You don’t have to be the best cyclist, you don’t have to have the best bike. In fact if you have any issues with your bike, we will take a look beforehand. It is not about cycling the route the fastest way and you can leave at any point. What is important however, is that you get back on your bike and join us!!

Free rosettes and badges to all.

PS. Men are welcome to join in too but we're aiming to encourage more women cyclists to get back on their bikes so tell your wife/girlfriend/sister/lady friend to come along too!

Bicycle Treats

2010-05-21T02:01:00.002+01:00

I found this take on the old 'Keep Calm and Carry On" poster earlier today. Sometimes you have to take a deep breath when some idiot pulls out in front of you or steps in your path. It's all you can do not to shout/swear/take a good kick at their bumper!

Some other goodies I found:

These ladies were cycling in 1898!

Cyclists Reclaiming the Roads...yeah!

2010-05-21T01:36:00.005+01:00

I know this is quite an old video now but I used this strip of Bedford Avenue nearly everyday when I lived in New York last year and it was pretty dangerous with cars turning and people walking in the street. Brooklyn used to be an amazing place to cycle and I think it's brilliant that these guys took it upon themselves to reinstate the bike lane. I am not condoning vandalism but if anyone wants to do this on the Pershore Road/Rea Valley route, be my guest! x

Critical Mass

2010-05-21T01:18:00.005+01:00

On the first Friday of May at 6pm, I quickly made my way to St Philip's Square in the city centre. It was the first time I'd been able to make Critical Mass since moving back to Birmingham and I was pretty nervous having only taken part in the London CM as part of a big bike gang. I'd totally forgotten it was that evening and was sitting in the pub (not drinking!) when I bumped into another Bike Foundry member and they coerced me into going with them. Luckily, I'm always on my bike so I went along to see what it was like.

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about; "Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road. The idea started in San Francisco in September 1992 and quickly spread to cities all over the world. Critical Mass has a different flavor from city to city -- there's a big variety in size, respect of traffic laws (or lack thereof), interaction with motorists, and intervention by police. So if you want to know more about Critical Mass, you'll really need to find out what your local ride is like. Critical Mass has no leaders, and no central organization licenses rides. In every city that has a CM ride, some locals simply picked a date, time, and location for the ride and publicized it, and thus the ride was born."

I arrived to find a group of fifteen or so cyclists grouped around the benches. I floated around the edge of the group offering awkward smiles whilst CM regulars exchanged news, jokes and took photographs. We waited for any late comers and then left around 6.30pm. The pace was quite relaxed, people chatted as they cycled and I realised I was concentrating so hard on not cutting anyone up/crashing into another bike (silly worries because I am of course an excellent cyclist) that I barely noticed the route we were taking. I finally lightened up and found I was having fun! We cycled down Broad Street blocking two lanes of traffic and then circled the Five Ways Island twice. It felt great to be cycling as part of a big group and to be making such a blatant statement.

We came back down Broad Street and took over both lanes again, everyone spreading out to block traffic trying to squeeze past. A few cars beeped but nothing out of the ordinary. As we went along, cyclists on their evening commute joined us and asked what we were doing. A cheerful man on a red frame said he wished he didn't have to get home as he'd love to ride around with us! I chatted to some people about the London rides and about their bikes - there was a great mixture of different kinds of bicycles and different kinds of riders. I noticed another two ladies besides myself. One of whom was a friendly young girl riding a traditional looking step-through which seemed to be single speed or more than one gear as I noticed her stop and start. The other lady had a lovely pink fixie, I wanted to ask if she built it herself but I was too intimidated! There were also racers, commuter bikes, mountain bikes and a chap on a strange small push-bike which seemed to look quite tiring but good on him for going for it!

Unfortunately, I had a deadline the next day and had extended my 'little break' quite considerably so once we cycled towards my normal route home I peeled off and waving my goodbyes vowed to come back in June. There was absolutely no need to be nervous and it felt really liberating to be able to ride down the middle of the road safely. Now that the sun is shining and the nights are lighter, there is definitely no excuse for any cyclist in Birmingham not to come along!! As its states on the flyer, you don't need to have a great bike...in fact any kind of non-motorised transport is welcome. So what are you waiting for?! Critical Mass in Birmingham is the first Friday of every month (not the last Friday like some cities) and meets in St Philip's Square at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

See you in June? x

PS. thankyou to Igor for the photographs!

Weekend of Cycling Pursuits

2010-05-10T15:46:00.009+01:00

I had an inspiring weekend which brought back to my attention the multi-faceted, revolutionising, liberating invention which is the bicycle.

On Saturday I was part of a critical mass/ plane stupid ride from Birmingham City Council to Birmingham International airport. Despite the rain, I was one of a cheery bunch of waterproofed cyclists dancing along the A45 to the tunes from a bike-powered sound system. We were a relatively small group but were nonetheless able to make a real impact on drivers heading to the airport and on arrival at the airport itself. We had a police bike escort for the first mile or so but then they got tired and switched to 4x4s (more's the pity, the cops on bikes seemed to be enjoying it). Read about it more on the Plane Stupid blog. This was a reminder to me of the power of bikes in demonstrations and geared me up for the planned 'reclaim the bike' ride coming sometime soon!

On an entirely different note, on Sunday I went out with a touring club in Coventry for the first time which was an interesting and wonderful experience. 75 miles along winding countryside roads, past lakes and hills I never suspected to find in the midlands (and probably wouldn't have otherwise). The bike remains, as it was hailed at its beginnings- a democratic means of discovering the countryside. I was privileged as a newcomer to the midlands to be out with a group of seasoned tourers who know the best bike routes, the best hills (up and down!) and the best views. There was (as, sadly, you might expect) a significant gender imbalance in the group- 6 men and 2 women - but most noticeable of all was the age gap: I was the only person under 50. Respect to these hardened senior cyclists but where are the young folk? Sheila, the other woman on the cycle was telling me fondly of the days 30 years ago when they'd have dozens of people of all ages out on the weekly cycle. But it's nice to know some things don't change - just like 30 years ago, the contribution for the ride remains just 5p...

That's How We Roll

2010-04-30T23:44:00.005+01:00

As Laura has established what we don't ride, lets talk about what we do:

Jess rides a single speed blue and white Raleigh, although she's going to flip that hub and ride fixed gear soon.

Laura rides a majestic Dutch bike, a Gazelle Toer Populaire to be precise.

Una rides a Peugeot racer and also has a blue Condor on which she has toured the world.

Lauren has recently started riding a 7 speed blue racer which has sailboat and sun set decals...jealous!

I (Nancy) ride a fixed yellow Peugeot racer and I have a green Raleigh Caprice shopper which is also fixed at the moment but I'm going to swap it over to single speed when I get round to it.

Quite a diverse list, defying even our own by-line since Una has a diamond frame. One trend though is age; only Laura has a recently constructed bike and she has ambitions of creating a single speed number which is not too heavy to take on the train. I'll take bets on the age of her new baby, my bid: at least 10 when it pops out.

This is no coincidence. Part of what the Bike Foundry wants to do is make affordable, good quality bikes available in Birmingham. The bikes that Jess, Lauren, Una and I ride all come from a bike workshop in Coventry which accepts donated bikes which are not being used, has volunteers come fix them up, and then sells them for a reasonable price. The idea is that more bikes are available locally and less quality frames rust away in sheds, back gardens or landfills. Now, by rights, since I don't live locally, I shouldn't have bought this beauty, which Amy, who volunteers in Coventry, found in a back garden, but I'm very glad I was allowed to. And I feel sort of vindicated by being involved in starting something similar here.

Anyway, meet Monte Carlo! Pretty cool, right‽ Originally a 6-speed racer with a rear derailleur, I converted to fixed gear (no gears, or more accurately, only one - a fixed ratio between the small back sprocket and the larger chain ring) and yes, I heart my bike.

I make concessions to speed and the classic 'fixie' look with full mudguards and a luggage rack but they don't add a lot of weight and are very practical. The Brooks saddle and moustache handlebars (see below) were gifts. I especially appreciate the saddle which, if any ladies are riding synthetic and suffering, I'm convinced protects from cystitis.

Old frames are good for fixed gear and single speed conversions as they're more likely, I think, to have horizontal drop outs on the back forks, which you need to create the right chain tension - they make your back wheel position adjustable. It also means you can ride a good looking vintage bike but make it light, faster and easier to maintain. You can get lots of useful tips about converting on Sheldon Brown. It doesn't suit everyone (especially if you live somewhere with many hills!) and I'm not evangelist, but for me it's been a good way to take control of my bike - I can do pretty much everything that needs doing to keep it running, any problems are easy to identify, which is not always the case in more hi-tech hybrids or mountain bikes.

What do you ride& why? Want help with a conversion? Femme Pédale wants to know! You can now email us: femmepedale at googlemail dot com (hope you get our spam defender).

Los Coňos Interview!

2010-04-20T20:25:00.004+01:00

LOS CONOS ARE AN ALL-FEMALE BIKE POLO TEAM FROM LONDON. THEY PLACED 12TH LAST YEAR IN THE POLO LEAGUE AND WE WENT TO LONDON TO PLAY A GAME, GRAB A BEER AND QUIZ THE HELL OUT OF THEM!

Jess Duffy, Fin Skillen (Birmingham Bike Foundry)

L-R: Sarah, Jo, Ali

~ As promised, the interview with the lovely ladies is all done but I thought seeing as the Birmingham Polo teams were playing against them on Sunday at the UK Championships in Manchester, I would wait to get the gossip! As it happens they drew 2-2, those girls are gooood. Unfortunately I couldn't make it but I'm not sure who I would have been cheering on anyway! The full write-up of the interview is on it's way ~

Bicycle ride around Canon Hill Park for mac sings:

2010-04-16T22:04:00.004+01:00

All credit must go to Lauren for pointing me in the direction of this post on birmingham cyclist; despite working at mac it had seemed to escape my attention that they wanted cyclists to take part in their opening events! But never fear, I got in touch with the people who know people and they are very happy for the Birmingham Bike Foundry and Femme Pedale and all our lovely members/readers to take part! So if on Monday 3rd May you find yourself at a loose end, please join us at various locations around the park for some bicycle rides, chats and maybe even a few demos! Approximately 2pm - 4pm. Although do send us a message for confirmation. Lovely stuff.

Bikes bikes bikes bikes bikes....

2010-04-16T20:42:00.001+01:00

Just been linked to Chris Gilmour's website and his beautiful life-size sculptures made entirely from cardboard and glue. Obviously the bikes caught my eye, they are ridiculously detailed....I wonder if they actually work! Not very practical but lovely to look at.

In more detail:

Reclaiming the night...with a bike?

2010-04-16T11:34:00.011+01:00

The danger of walking alone at night is something that most women are forced to consider now and again, if not on a weekly basis. Unfortunately these concerns are not simply generated by media hype of a ‘broken Britain’ populated by muggers hiding behind every street corner waiting to jump the vulnerable or unwary. That it is not safe for a woman to walk alone after a certain time is a fact that we all have to incorporate into our lives. This isn’t just an issue of getting home from nights out, if you’re working late, or just needing to pop out to the shop or meet a friend, personal safety is something that all too often needs to be considered.

So, what are we to do? Well there’s always the public transport, but aside from the fact that buses and trains do eventually stop running, not everybody feels safe sat alone late at night. Personally I do generally feel okay on Birmingham’s public transport, but I can see why you might not. Waiting alone at stations or stops, worrying friendly strangers who insist on sitting next to you and asking for your number, and the eventual half dash from your stop to the front door.

Then there are taxis, but to be frank, who can afford to fork out every time they need to travel late at night? Of course sharing taxis back can work out great price wise but there’s not always someone going in your direction. Although it’s not an issue I’ve particularly heard discussed in Birmingham, there have been well publicized cases of attacks on women by taxis drivers. Companies with exclusively female drivers are a great idea, but this is a choice I’ve never seen advertised or have been offered.

This entry seems to be going down a pretty depressing path (sorry!), but hope can be found...in a two wheeled format! Since I first became comfortable with cycling on roads I’ve felt safe biking home at pretty much any time of night. Firstly, a person on foot is going to have a pretty hard time catching you. Second, when on the road you become part of the traffic. Although many drivers may not see cyclists as proper road users, I imagine most pedestrians do. When you’re on your bike you’re not a lone women who can be stopped and harassed, you’re only moderately more approachable than a motorized vehicle. Also very important, cycling is free!

Personally, I’ve found cycling at night very liberating; being able to travel without being reliant on other people or the depth of your wallet can feel great. But this isn’t to say that cycling is the solution to all transport related problems. For example, I don’t think drunk cycling can be reasonably advocated, no matter how tempting it can be. In addition, I know some women who, justifiably, will not cycle through certain areas after dark, parks being the prime example. Of course there are also still incompetent car drivers to look out for. Finally, cycling at night is great, but we should never give up the fight to be able to travel in safety in any manner we want, and at any time we want. Campaigns like Reclaim the Night are as important now as they ever were.

Next entry: how to use your bike as an offensive weapon against potential attackers!

More bike sales!

2010-04-09T14:47:00.006+01:00

There is a cycle jumble being held in Kidderminster on April 24th! You can get some really good bits and pieces for your bike from these events so its worth a look. Hopefully there should be a group of us going so if you're worried about getting lost, send us a message!

http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/events.htm

Forest Glades Leisure Centre

Bromsgrove Street

Kidderminster

DY10 1PP

Sellers: 08.30am table £8.50, NO COMPLETE BIKES inside, might get 'elf & safety visit

Buyers: 10.00am

Contact: Doug Pinkerton 07778 429313

All the details I could find. See you there!

I don't mean to be sexist but...

2010-04-06T21:57:00.029+01:00

I was struggling over a burst inner tube in the car park at my work; I only had one tyre lever, and was making do with some teaspoons to get the tyre off the wheel. A senior manager, resplendent in lycra ambled over from his very nice custom road bike and volunteered a hand. I was mildly annoyed; not at his community-spirited overture, but because he opened the offer "I don't mean to be sexist, but you look like you could really use some help". I asked to borrow some tyre levers, and instead he took the job off me, lavishly complimenting my attempt; "You don't see many women trying this". Patching an inner tube is hardly an exotic achievement, and I have seen several people of a distinctly feminine persuasion carry it off with aplomb. I am sure this guy genuinely didn't want to come across as sexist, but by tainting an entire gender-way with my (non-girly based) clumsiness, he kind of did. Now I feel self-conscious doing repairs in public, in case I accidently shame my sex, like a Victorian matron accidentally flashing a few inches of calf.

This reflected a more general issue I've experienced as a female cyclist. Unpleasant as the heckles and shouted abuse can be, open aggro is easily identified and acted against. The errors of the well-meaning can also be off-putting; these mistakes can be made both by over-focusing on sometimes narrow ideas of feminine needs and by totally ignoring the existence of clued-up lady cyclists.

One off-the cuff example of this I found today was this bike: the Giant Chixie. It pretty much the only off the peg fixed gear/ single speed bike designed specifically for women on the UK market. The best I can say for it is that it isn't pink; otherwise, it is a messy abortion of a bike. I'm not a huge fan of chunky aluminium frames, huge riser bars or brightly coloured deep profile rims at the best of times- together they look like a toy belonging to a myopic and offensively twee child. The advertising guff witters on about running it as a "true fixed", which according to Giant means sans brakes. This is both illegal on public roads, and positively dangerous without foot retention on the pedals (not supplied with the Chixie, naturally). The name is an obvious fucking disgrace. Giant doesn't make the best looking rides, but you would expect the market to come up with at least one other fixed-gear bike for women; perhaps one that expects them to have adult tastes in both aesthetics and performance.

Another stupid example is this bike rack (heh- rack/rack!). It's meant to be a mudflap girl. The image of a bicycle chained to female objectification in metal form is fairly depressing. Adding to the miserable effect is the fact the designer was David Byrne, who is generally quite awesome, and has done a lot of bike advocacy. The project of fun bike parking was a good idea- positive, public and attention grabbing. However, this one of a dozen-odd designs just seems lazy and juvenile; almost as misguided as the New York authorities, who didn't comment on this, but vetoed another bike stand in the shape of a bottle of fortified wine, on the grounds of "poor taste". Giant porn silhouettes are installed by the NY Department of Transport; real women fade into the background. Byrne's design would have to be a hell of a lot wittier for me to let that slide.

There's sort of a point to all this- basically the points that Nan, Jess, and Una have already put across well- we need to be acknowledged as a positive and normal part of bike culture. It seems that there is as much work to be done on those who share our enthusiasm for two wheels as anyone else.

Shameless Plug

2010-04-06T15:08:00.005+01:00

The word on the street is that Bobbin Bicycles will be holding a sample sale on Friday- they do gorgeous old-fashioned bicycles and nice accessories, which are usually too far into the Islington price range for my distinctly bedsit budget. Anyway, it's definitely worth a look if you're in the area- sale bikes start at £120 and panniers at a fiver.

In the same viciously acquisitive vein, I have just got hold of a massive roll of scotchlight-esque reflective fabric tape, which I hope to sew into safety-boosting rosettes and sashes. Ideas for fun, high-visibility craft projects would be most welcome.

I was musing on clothing issues today...

2010-03-24T18:42:00.006Z

When the bicycle first appeared, in the 1860's, there was a huge debate on the "appropriateness" of women riding bikes. I saw an interesting exhibit about it in Coventry Transport Museum. To the upper-class Victorians who could afford bikes, the idea of women wearing more practical clothing ("rational clothing", they called it at the time) was scandalous, and there was significant resistance to women being allowed to put on trousers and ride bikes around.

I can't help but feel it wasn't really about clothes, though. A bike is an amazingly liberating thing. What these women's fathers and husbands were really frightened of was women having a certain amount of autonomy, being able to leave the house as and when they pleased. Biking is something you do alone; a woman who owned a bicycle was therefore someone who had the means and capacity to decide where and when she wanted to go by herself.

Today, the issue of clothing still seems to represent a barrier to many women cyclists. I have heard many female friends say that its impractical to take a bike when you're wearing a skirt, that their clothes will get covered in oil, that they're not wearing the right shoes. Personally, I find myself able to adapt to most clothing and don't choose specific clothes to wear when I'm biking. But perhaps that's helped by the fact I don't wear heels. But I actually quite like cycling in long skirts, which leads me to wonder what the Victorians' problem was. Short skirts present more of a problem; but a good solution is shorts underneath, to avoid having to check that your skirt hasn't blown up every five seconds!

Like in Victorian times, clothing issues still seem to prevent women from cycling. Yet just like 150 years ago, it's not really about clothes. There are deeper, more insidious issues at play about the way society views female cyclists. Somewhere along the way, women (more than men, the statistics suggest) pick up that cycling isn't right for them. We should fight this misconception vigorously like the women who demanded their rights when the bicycle was born.

Travel, safety, comfort and - most of all - pleasure.

2010-03-18T18:04:00.003Z

This is the sign our friend Ken made for the Birmingham Bike Foundry. In his own words it describes what the Bike Foundry wants to do - make biking in Birmingham better, so more people do it! This blog falls under the auspices of the Bike Foundry; we thought it would be fun to do something written for and by women cyclists for a few reasons...

Women are underrepresented as cyclists. In 2008 a National Transport Survey said that the split was 72% male to 28% female. British Cycling says that 2.3% of all British women cycle each week, compared to 6.8% of men. What's that all about?!

More worryingly, according to this BBC article many more women than men die as a result of accidents involving lorries. Confidence seems to be a part of this - women are less likely to weave through traffic to get ahead at stationary traffic lights, they bike close to the curb so cars don't give them enough room and are less aggressive in making sure drivers take notice. We know this is a generalisation but from personal experience as female cyclists who are on the road everyday, we definitely see the truth in it. We (Nancy & Jess) are far more likely than our male friends to avoid the Pershore Road during rush hour and take the Rea Valley cycle route instead. We also experience a lot more abusive language and behaviour than the boys - a lot of it sexual, which is pretty gross.

We think if more women are on the road, have better maintenance skills and safety awareness then we can make things safer for ourselves and for all cyclists - critical mass!

We don't think women cyclists need special clothes or girly coloured bikes to be encouraged to cycle (although that can be part of the fun) we just need to be part of a stronger and bigger community of cyclists which includes more women. We hope this blog will create a network of current Birmingham cyclists and maybe encourage a few more women to get in the saddle. I bet that guy who yelled 'Get a bus pass you cunt' at me the other day, wouldn't have done it if I was with my bike gang.

Love Jess and Nancy & all the girls at the Bike Foundry.