Workshop aims to get more women riding bikes
KITCHENER — When Paulina Rodriguez first began cycling, she wasn’t sure what her rights were, and didn’t feel all that confident, or that safe.
“I felt pressure to move to the side of the road, or even just get off the road,” she said.
Taking a Can-Bike cycling skills course boosted her confidence, and she soon found she was riding a lot more.
“I learned all the rules of the road and how to interact with drivers, make eye contact and signal to make sure the driver knows what you’re doing. I feel much more confident now,” she said.
Research has shown that fewer women than men cycle. Across North America, women make up about 45 per cent of cyclists. In Canada, that percentage might be as low as 30 per cent, according to Troy Glover, a professor in the department of recreation and leisure studies at the University of Waterloo.
A key reason for that is that women don’t feel safe, said Rodriguez, co-ordinator of Community Access Bikeshare. Women are more risk-averse than men, and often don’t feel comfortable cycling close to fast-moving cars.
While part of the solution is to build more of the safer cycling infrastructure such as separated bike paths, Rodriguez says, education can also play a role.
That thinking is behind a free cycling workshop aimed specifically at women which is being offered by the Bikeshare group and Bike-Kitchener.
The workshop includes a group information session on everything from the rules of the road to how to wear a helmet properly, and participants can get one-on-one advice and even get their bikes tuned up. There will be a chance to learn basic maintenance and Bikeshare cycles available for anyone who wants to take part but who doesn’t own a bike.
So far, 15 people have signed up for the workshop, which can accommodate 25 people.
The workshop on Aug. 8 runs 6 to 8 p.m. and is at Recycle Cycles, 37 Market Lane in Kitchener. Participants are invited to head out in a group ride afterwards. The event is free but people are encouraged to register at eventbrite.ca/e/womens-bike-safetynight-tickets-26585539063?aff=es2