"Why should we praise women and encourage more of them to join cycling?”

“What is it with everyone these days? Why should we praise women and encourage more of them to join cycling?”. That was the question I heard during my marketing presentation at the job interview for one of the bike manufacturers. No, it wasn’t 10 years ago, but only last year!!! Curious, right??

I want to tell you a bit of myself. I grew up in a rather discouraging environment and only the high level of curiosity and stubbornness made me the person I am today. All the frames, bans and expectations couldn’t win with my “nasty” independent character and innate #emancipation. I never “learned” to find the differences between men and women, that would be a good reason to put limitations based on gender (well, we’re not talking biology).

I also have to admit, I grew up not liking women (don’t hate me yet, please ??), but not for lack of trying. I very much wanted to befriend them, but was too different to be #accepted. Too controversial, too adventurous, too brave, too disruptive, too rebellious and too smart! In other words too “not girly”. I often heard “be simpler, don’t be too smart, you won’t find a husband!”. Fortunately, that was never my priority :D

I was fortunate to begin meeting well educated women, who didn’t see me as a threat. That helped me understand the necessity of giving equal opportunities and, most important, building the open and broad-minded thinking within every community. I was very happy to get to know strong, #independent women, who lent me a helping hand when I needed it the most. It was the time, when I saw clearly, how knowledge and access to equal opportunities influences women’s behaviour. On the other hand, this contrast vividly showed, what lack of proper #education and #openmindedness does to women, and how not giving them an opportunity of a very wide choice of lifestyle and future (the one that most men have) can make them hostile towards one another and men as well.

All those thoughts brought me to the idea of a very wide programme, made to help more women to understand why and how they may join the cycling sector. To let more people in general understand that we need to stop dividing men and #women in their opportunities, and setting their minds to only certain capabilities since the day they’re born.

In the presentation mentioned in the beginning of the article I was sharing my thoughts on the female market share and how it can be won by helping and #encouraging women to join cycling, but my audience at that time wasn’t enthusiastic and openminded. I kept my notes for the better occasion and in several months joined an amazing team of biciTALENT Recruitment , which also led me to Cycling Industries Europe summit, where I had a pleasure of meeting members of Women In Cycling .

Just a couple of months ago, thanks to WIC, I e-met splendid Michelle Armstrong , who is very much engaged in the cycling #community in Australia. Together we shaped up the idea of “Meet The Experts” project, which purpose is to bring together #experts and everyone interested in their field of expertise in the cycling sector. That’s one of the points on my long list and I am thrilled to see it happening.

With this project we would like to help increase female engagement in the bike industry, #cycling society and every other part of this special sector of life and #business. Our goal is not to divide and demand special treatment for women, but to bring people together and help build a more diverse and welcoming #environment for everyone.

I invite you, both WOMEN & MEN, to join us for the pilot event on the 1st of December at 10:00. Don’t forget to bring a good coffee, positive attitude and open mind! We encourage you to ask questions, including contacting us directly and share your thoughts.

Please register here: ‘Meet the Cycling Sector Experts’ Coffee & Chat

From my side, I would very much like for the “Why should we praise women and encourage more of them to join cycling?” question to become obsolete. First, obsolete because of the reaching an understanding of the necessity of mindset change, and afterwards, obsolete because of equal opportunities becoming obvious and accepted as an axiom by the society.