Where are the Black Women on Bikes?

When I cycle into work, I can’t help but look around and wonder ‘where are all the Black women on bikes?’

🚴🏾‍♀️I know that cycling, in general, is dominated by white men. This is the same story for a lot of sports, especially when they are deep rooted in European culture. But it’s 2023, and cycling could be a really tangible option for so many people in London; it’s a cost effective way to commute, it’s a great form of exercise (especially if you live up a hill like I do) and it’s a way to get together with mates. So, it annoys me that in London, a city where a third of the population identifies as Black, Asian and minority ethnic, 86% of male cyclists and 94% of female cyclists are white – and two thirds of all cyclists are male. It feels like so many people are missing out on something that is beneficial, because it can feel like an exclusive club that they’re not part of.
I loved chatting with former elite racer Dr Marlon Lee Moncrieffe about some of the reasons why there are so few Black women embracing and enjoying life on a bike. Plus, I met with Christina Calderato at TfL to find out how they’re using planning and strategies to change the face of cycling in this city.
This is the third video in the Make It Make Sense series. Wanna see more? Hit subscribe to be the first to know when the next video is up :)

⌚️Time stamps & chapters:
00:00 - Where are the Black Women on Bikes?
00:39 - trying out cycle hire in London
02:17 - what are my friends' relationships with cycling?
04:00 - Dr Marlon Lee Moncrieffe
07:29 - cycling as a collective - a chat with Mona Musa-Gray
10:34 - Transport for London
11:00 - how more women are choosing to get back on the bike
13:10 - final thoughts

🤳🏽 The channels:
Instagram   / thenewsmove.  .
TikTok   / thenewsmovement  
Twitter   / thenewsmovement  

👥 The people:
My friends Renée Davis, Anna-Marie Descartes and Jessie Auguste
  / ren.cenn  
  / annamariedescartes  
  / jessiebellehooks  
Dr Marlon Lee Moncrieffe   / drmoncrieffe  
Mona Musa-Gray, part of   / blackunitybikeride  
Christina Calderato at Transport for London   / transportforlondon  
Annetha Mills   / annetha_official  
Chaly D.N   / chalydn  
Me(!) -   / mary.mandef.  .


💭 What helped me to Make it Make Sense:
👉🏽How TfL are working with Black women to change the narrative of cycling in London
https://madeby.tfl.gov.uk/2022/07/20/...
👉🏽A report into the behaviour of cyclists from The Hunting Dynasty https://www.thehuntingdynasty.com/upl...
👉🏽Holly Richardson shares an insight into a cycling club formed for Black Women https://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...
👉🏽Ayesha McGowan, the first Black American woman in pro cycling says ‘The thing that we’re working for isn’t just existing in a space, it’s thriving’
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/20/sp...
👉🏽15 Influential Black Cyclists on Instagram - seeing more cycling on your feed could change your perspective on the sport https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a26...
👉🏽This article in Cycling Weekly starts to scratch the surface of the issue in pro cycling
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/cycling...
👉🏽’Until the dynamics of “race”, racism and whiteness in cycling are more fully understood, the sport will continue to be dominated by white, middle-aged men
https://theconversation.com/the-unbea...


📹 The series:
Catch our previous video where I ask ‘are screens damaging your eyes?’’
   • Are Screens Damaging Your Eyes?  

🗓 What’s next?
I’m constantly questioning what’s going on around me and have a list of video ideas which is always growing. Got something that you want me to make sense of? Let me know at mary.mandefield@thenewsmovement.com ✌🏾

#bikes #cycling #race #diversity #diversityinsport #diversityincycling #transportforlondon #tfl #cyclinginlondon #ride #bikeride #ridelondon #blackcyclist #blackunitybikeride #blackonbikes #blackwomen #blackwomencycle #blackwomenbikes #sport #race #racsimincycling