In cities that lack safe bike infra, only those willing to accept the risk will choose to bike (often men). When we build networks of connected, protected bike infrastructure that is plowed in winter *more* people choose to bike. 20 secs on the Midtown Greenway in 5℉/-15℃ yesterday: - ThreadSky

lauragmitchell.com • 9 days ago

In cities that lack safe bike infra, only those willing to accept the risk will choose to bike (often men).

When we build networks of connected, protected bike infrastructure that is plowed in winter *more* people choose to bike.

20 secs on the Midtown Greenway in 5℉/-15℃ yesterday:

Comments

mathias.bsky.social•9 days ago

Do you have spikes in your tires to help with the ice patches?

lauragmitchell.com•9 days ago

Yeah, I use studded tires in the winter.

geneahern.bsky.social•8 days ago

I go with balance and love the reduce volume of traffic to have to contend with. Snow and icy conditions make drivers more cautious and that's a big improvement.

lauragmitchell.com•9 days ago

Of course, many people don't have a choice and are forced to bike if they don't have access to a car/can't drive and don't have public transit/it isn't reliable or go where they need it to go.

Those folks also deserve safety and comfort for their rides.

Build safe infrastructure for everyone.

craigmerry.com•9 days ago

This is awesome video

kitchieg.bsky.social•8 days ago

And when you don't build safe bike infrastructure then the American hockey team at the 4 Nations face-off hangs an empty jersey in memorial in the dressing room.

liamogrady2.bsky.social•8 days ago

That it is mostly men about on this section of open road in winter proves that more risk-averse individuals such as women and children - and older men - are being completely uncatered for on urban roads in many countries today. This needs to change.

lauragmitchell.com•8 days ago

Agreed with your point, but I don't think anyone in this video is a man (which is why I shared it, was fun to see)! It's a grade separated Greenway where cars are not allowed, which I believe enables those of us who don't want to risk our lives around drivers to bike year round.

liamogrady2.bsky.social•8 days ago

Oops, I didn't realise it was a closed-to-traffic road. Apologies. However, I think the only two riders other than yourself in the video are definitely men. Unless female cyclists today are all beginning to look like men! I could be wrong though....again.

lauragmitchell.com•8 days ago

Obviously you can never assume a person's gender by appearance, but both other people on bikes were around my size (5'6"). The first rider had long curly hair and the second was wearing a pink helmet and definitely smaller than me. People assume I'm a man when I'm bundled up & riding.

liamogrady2.bsky.social•8 days ago

OK fair enough, I won't labour the point apart from saying that I'm 173cms (5'8") and I used to have long hair and I used to wear pink things in the past - not so much now. 😆

lauragmitchell.com•8 days ago

Agreed that we can’t assume someone’s gender based on appearance.

And that more people who are not men bike when it’s safer to do so.

So we should make it safer via protected infrastructure.

jonggordon.bsky.social•8 days ago

Love how fast they plow those trails in 612! 🎉

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply