She’s so hot she’s making me a sexist. Bitch (NSFW)

I ride my bike everyday. I know the difference between a cruiser with a coaster break and a fixie. I call it a saddle, not a seat. I am no mechanic, but I can change a tire and fix a flat. Just because I ride in a dress and I like pink bikes, does not mean I am any less of a cyclist than, let’s say, these dudes.

However, plenty of male cyclists, and specifically tumbleloggers, would have you believe this is the case. To them, any woman who dares to ride in her everyday attire must be a fashion-obsessed dummy, as if riding in an attractive outfit and and being a committed, impassioned cyclist are mutually exclusive. For instance, Dottie from Let’s Go Ride a Bike writes of a demeaning experience at a Chicago bike shop:

I don’t have to add commentary, I’ll simply repeat some choice quotes from the guy assisting us [at the bike shop].

“You girls aren’t dressed for test riding bikes.”

“You can’t ride that bike in a skirt…I’m just trying to save you some  embarrassment.”

“You girls should stay on the sidewalk…be careful out there, girls.”

“How was your photo shoot?”

Responses from the bicyclette’s readers…

This post is SO true. The amount of looks I get from fellow cyclists on the road is ridiculous.

Just because I decide not to wear lycra and go down the road at Tour de France speeds does not make me anything less of a cyclist.

Bicycles come in many different shapes and sizes. My bike is of a minority in my area: it has no gears, a sprung saddle, and yes, even a pretty basket on the front. It still has two wheels, two pedals, a saddle, and yes, even handlebars. It doesn’t make me any less worthy of cycle lane space.

In the short time I’ve had my bike, I’ve been overtaken viciously, been shot abuse at, and even told by a fellow cyclist to get a proper bike.

My bike is a proper bike. Its type was around before you were even born. If it wasn’t for the design of my bike, you wouldn’t have your streamlined contraptions. So have a bit more respect.

@BikeSnobNYC chimed in with 4 April 1898 AND did so on his blog! After tonight’s Ignite NYC #8, Brooklyn Edition, the gang of @NewAmsterdamize will be buying a few pitchers of NYC beer!