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Original poster

Excellent article on gender stereotyping of children by Islabikes

44 replies

2rebecca · 09/03/2018 09:59

www.islabikes.co.uk/knowledge/about-us/pink-is-not-the-problem/?dm_i=2QC2,O06B,8I0W5,2GRYG,1
Love this article. Sums up my views perfectly.

OP posts:
Waddlelikeapenguin · 09/03/2018 19:56

I have a friend who jumps side saddle - proper show jumping type jumps. Apparently she needed a new challenge Grin

Whinberry · 09/03/2018 19:47

I had a ladies frame and skirt guard on my bike when I was a teen - but then I rode it as a form.of transport not for sport and a crossbar wouldn't have worked with my school skirt.

Also had dynamo lights that went out when you were stopped in the middle of the road waiting to turn right...

Badgerthebodger · 09/03/2018 19:32

Love the article, what a fab company. I will say one thing about the different. I had a boys bike as a teenager because it was black and looked really cool, but I braked too hard once going down a hill and slid off the saddle and banged my fanny Blush so actually it would have been better to have a “ladies” frame

holycheeseplant · 09/03/2018 19:23

The bike saddles are different for physical reasons.

But maybe I'm wrong? I had a male frame as a teen as I preferred the bike. I got a female frame a few years ago as again I preferred the bike, but I often get on as a bloke does.

holycheeseplant · 09/03/2018 19:20

Nope. To avoid man-spreading. Afaik.

I will say it was easier when heavily pregnant with a lower bar to step through, but I can't imagine that's the reason.

Yes, regarding the side saddle riding - effing hard core!

Datun · 09/03/2018 18:39

So there is no physiological reason for the crossbar?

whoputthecatout · 09/03/2018 18:35

X post Grin

Re horses - I've always found it odd that woman aka "the weaker sex" should have been expected to ride in such a way they are much more likely to be thrown to the ground going over jumps or if a horse rears.

whoputthecatout · 09/03/2018 18:33

Is it because girlies should never throw their legs over the saddle but coyly pass the leg between the saddle and the handlebars?

holycheeseplant · 09/03/2018 18:33

Dresses and it's not 'lady like' to swing your leg over the back.

Though that's how you get in a horse....
Though women used to to ride horses differently too.

Datun · 09/03/2018 18:29

So can anyone tell me why, traditionally, boys' bikes have a crossbar, and girls' bikes don't?

BarrackerBarmer · 09/03/2018 17:00

Actually, cycling seems to be one of those sports where the women's competition has been massively infiltrated by TIMs.

I'm really glad to see these women doing this. And noted this: "The role of gender in society remains a complex one but we welcome the current debate on the subject."

BarrackerBarmer · 09/03/2018 16:56

We chose islabikes because the bikes are fab and very light which made it easier for the children to learn, but also because I did NOT want pinkified or blueified bikes and wanted to pass bikes down as they grew. Some choices are so limited if you just want a "red unisex bike" that hasn't been coded as not-for-you.

(they are v expensive though)

Hardwickwhite · 09/03/2018 16:55

It is that simple isn't it. I can't understand why so many see it as different to that.

Natsku · 09/03/2018 16:49

Great article. That would really encourage me to buy their bikes (if they sold them here)

Waddlelikeapenguin · 09/03/2018 11:19

Great article, they always come across as a very interesting company.

StandingOvulation · 09/03/2018 11:02

That's marvellous to read! Thanks for the link.

Datun · 09/03/2018 10:31

Excellent.

holycheeseplant · 09/03/2018 10:10

Awesome, thank you!

Popchyk · 09/03/2018 10:06

Yes, that is very simple and straightforward.

Interesting that 42% of their bike mechanics are women.

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