I'm sure if you could find work here, you could find the same work in Canberra... if you have some post-grad expertise.Fletcher wrote:Man, that sounds cool. any vacancies?Chops wrote:I'd say about half of the women commute to my work. I put this down to a few things:
1) The intelligence level of the women. Most have phd's and are very highly powered.
2) Their age. I don't think any of them have children, although most are taken.
3) They work in an industry or area where they try to encourage it, or see the benefits, so to them it is obvious.
4) It seems to be a work place which is very pro-exercise and a lot of staff work out together separately as well.
5) They don't care about looks because they are nerds and don't have to deal with the public.
Interesting to note that I don't think any of the secretaries or admins cycle.
Agree with several of the above that the main reason more women don't commute seems to be perceived risk, though only speaking from observation and exp. A frequently heard response when I tell people, especially women, I commute daily is "You ride on the road??" and is usually accompanied with Even met a few women who are heavily into mtb, compete in enduros and clock up a ridiculous number of km offroad and spinning but rarely venture out onto the roads. When they do, it's usually on the weekend in the safety of a group as they're genuinely concerned about getting wiped out.
It's a bit of a shame, but I don't see many women riding the roads through the week.
Why don't ladies commute?
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Chops » Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:24 am
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby marinmomma » Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:22 pm
I probably would if I worked in the city, had better bike storage and didn't have a teenager to transport to school as I'd find it a good way to start my day and a great de-stresser for the end of a day....
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Chops » Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:49 pm
Even more reason to IMO. I only live about 7k's from work and just use it as a sprint, and don't bother to gear up unless I'm riding a lengthier route beforehand.marinmomma wrote:As I only work 5km's from my home it's not really worth my while to gear up, ride through terrible traffic (for Brisbanites, up the length of Newnman Rd ) shower and change before work...I also have a storage issue with where to keep my bike for the day....then repeat the process at the end of the day....not too mention that i have a teenager to either drop off at her school bus before or after work....
I probably would if I worked in the city, had better bike storage and didn't have a teenager to transport to school as I'd find it a good way to start my day and a great de-stresser for the end of a day....
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby hannos » Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:57 pm
marinmomma wrote:As I only work 5km's from my home it's not really worth my while to gear up, ride through terrible traffic (for Brisbanites, up the length of Newnman Rd ) shower and change before work...I also have a storage issue with where to keep my bike for the day....then repeat the process at the end of the day....not too mention that i have a teenager to either drop off at her school bus before or after work....
I probably would if I worked in the city, had better bike storage and didn't have a teenager to transport to school as I'd find it a good way to start my day and a great de-stresser for the end of a day....
5kms. I reckon you could take a nice leisurely ride to work and arrive still fresh and unsweaty.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby il padrone » Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:13 pm
+1hannos wrote:marinmomma wrote:As I only work 5km's from my home it's not really worth my while to gear up, ride through terrible traffic (for Brisbanites, up the length of Newnman Rd ) shower and change before work...I also have a storage issue with where to keep my bike for the day....then repeat the process at the end of the day....not too mention that i have a teenager to either drop off at her school bus before or after work....
I probably would if I worked in the city, had better bike storage and didn't have a teenager to transport to school as I'd find it a good way to start my day and a great de-stresser for the end of a day....
5kms. I reckon you could take a nice leisurely ride to work and arrive still fresh and unsweaty.
If you think it's too humid in Brisbane's weather, just ride it nice and slow. Skip the shower/change routine and do a quick wipe-down in the ladies, baby wipes, deodorant etc. You'll still get some exercise benefit and save yourself $$$ in needless fuel use and wear and tear on the car.
Storage? Surely there's a pole or railing somewhere? Leave a D-lock there so you don't need to carry it.
Teenager? Does he/she not have legs?
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby ghettro » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:44 am
There are about 6-8 people in an office of about 80 who cycle regularly. Of these there are about 3 women, 1 who rides daily and 2 other who ride occasionally. The rest are guys who ride almost every day.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Jimbosteen » Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:13 pm
The current mix is 2 guys, 3 ladies with 2 other once a week blow ins who are both female.
Primary reason that the ladies didn't ride before was they suffered on the geography front and on the route we go they find a couple of sections disconcerting for a single female, namely through homebush and along the parra river behind the silverwater prison. The reason for the unease is not the traffic it is the isolation along some sections.
I did have to make a modification in that it was voted that I was to move from the straight bike shorts to shy shorts but it is a small price to pay for the company.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby CommuRider » Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:59 pm
Started commuting last week. Takes me ages by bike/ferry, 30-40 mins by car depending on traffic. However, can't beat this 'convertible' way of travelling.
I'm the only female I've noticed on my bike/ferry route that does the commute. Some thoughts:
1. Big motivation was my workplace that installed proper bike parking and amenities. I can 'refresh' myself because hey, my worst critics are other females. Yes, we judge each other on looks.
2. Safety. I stop at the King St. bike lights. I obey 'bikepath/road rules'. I'm a safety freak. Pedestrians are crossing in Sydney. I'm a driver, I know their mentality.
3. I'm still ambivalent on whether I will last. It would be nice to see other females doing the same thing.
Tipping point would be when driving beats cycling again for me.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby BandedRail » Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:03 am
Bayswater around the river to the Narrows: 21 men - 11 women (ratio of 1.91 to 1)
Narrows to Mt Henry Bridge: 143 men - 13 women (ratio of 13 to 1)
Total (~25 km, 6:15-7:05): 164 men 24 women (ratio of 6.83 to 1)
I'll do it again tomorrow but the results may be a bit odd as Tuesdays &Thursdays seem to have a lot of bunch rides and it can be hard to count when they go by at those speeds (you get counts like MMMMWMMMM?MMWM) - yep, "?" 'cause a cyclist in full kit plus sunnies at 40 km/hr can get a little gender ambiguous at 6:30 am.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby CommuRider » Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:11 am
And blast it was a cold evening yesterday. Had to seek shelter inside with the other passengers as shirt + vest + jacket wasn't sufficiently warm enough to enjoy the sunset outside.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Max » Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:58 pm
Max
Cycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby BandedRail » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:34 pm
Bayswater around the river to the Narrows: 41 men - 9 women (ratio of 4.56 to 1)
Narrows to Mt Henry Bridge: 160 men - 25 women (ratio of 6.4 to 1)
Mt Henry Bridge to Kensington via Canning River: 14 men - 3 women (ratio of 4.67 to 1)
Total (~41 km, 6:30 - 8:05): 215 men - 37 women (ratio of 5.8 to 1)
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby anth73 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:40 pm
You can avoid some of Heidelberg Rd by turning onto Yarra Bend Rd and then get onto the pathway that follows the Yarra to the Gipps Street bridge. From there you can take Gipps or Langridge St all the way to Wellington St. As it runs east-west the traffic isn't too heavy.marieparr wrote:IIf anyone can recommend a safe way to the CBD (top end of Collins Street) from Heidelberg Road, Fairfield, Melbourne that would be really great!! Current using Heidelberg Road, Queens Parade, Alexandra Parade, Brunswick Street... Cheers!
I do this sometimes in the warmer months, or take the Boulevard if I want some extra hills. Otherwise it's Heidelberg Rd and Brunswick St for me also.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Comedian » Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:00 pm
She applauded me for my progress in cycling. I asked her to have a go at it and she just said I have to look professional at work (often wears suits) and she just couldn't do that if she rode a bike in. End Of Discussion.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Max » Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:15 pm
Max
Cycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Parker » Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:37 pm
The chief financial officer at my company is a women whose in a VERY professional position, rides her bike. The national HR Manager rides her bike and the women in charge of employee relations across the country... well she rides her bike as well, as does the corporate receptionist and the EA to the CEOComedian wrote:I had lunch with my niece the other week. She is young (28) and has a responsible position at her work. She lives 6k from town, and has dedicated cycleway all the way to the CBD where she works. They have full facilities at another company building nearby.
She applauded me for my progress in cycling. I asked her to have a go at it and she just said I have to look professional at work (often wears suits) and she just couldn't do that if she rode a bike in. End Of Discussion.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby CommuRider » Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:48 pm
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Comedian » Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:58 pm
Well yes. But I hope you appreciate how little the chance, and how fraught with danger it is that any man (let alone an uncle) dare suggest to her how to complete her morning ritual?Max wrote:Um... she understands she can get changed after riding in, doesn't she?
Max
Seriously, there is nothing I can do about this. If I were to push the issue she'd just avoid me. More is the shame.
I take on board CommuRiders examples, but it shows again that you have to want to change to make this happen. It adds insult to injury that she will happily take 1.5 hours out of her evening 3 nights a week to go to the gym while free exercise is passing her by.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby jet-ski » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:56 pm
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Parker » Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:20 pm
well thats her right to make that choice, not everyone wants to cycle and why should they. One of the women at work does RPM about 3 times a week but wont ride a bike outside, it works for her.Comedian wrote:It adds insult to injury that she will happily take 1.5 hours out of her evening 3 nights a week to go to the gym while free exercise is passing her by.Max wrote:Um... she understands she can get changed after riding in, doesn't she?
Max
You do what works for you, the important thing is that she is fit and healthy with a future a head of her, if she thinks that commuting by bike may lower her standard then it may actually do that... perhaps she wants to get a head in her career and has a game plan, that may not include cycling.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Comedian » Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:28 pm
I do take all that on board. Commuting has been sensational for me. I guess I'm just a little disappointed that she has dismissed it without trying it.Parker wrote:well thats her right to make that choice, not everyone wants to cycle and why should they. One of the women at work does RPM about 3 times a week but wont ride a bike outside, it works for her.Comedian wrote:It adds insult to injury that she will happily take 1.5 hours out of her evening 3 nights a week to go to the gym while free exercise is passing her by.Max wrote:Um... she understands she can get changed after riding in, doesn't she?
Max
You do what works for you, the important thing is that she is fit and healthy with a future a head of her, if she thinks that commuting by bike may lower her standard then it may actually do that... perhaps she wants to get a head in her career and has a game plan, that may not include cycling.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Alistair » Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:51 am
I think you are probably right... my gf hates the tram and is keen to get more exercise, but you have to be really committed when it is cold, damp, you are tired and the roads aren't bike friendly. We rode a bit when we were in Clifton Hill, but getting across from St Kilda to Carlton isn't her idea of fun. If there was a consistant bike lane she would give it a go, but as it is the tram is much easier.Missy24 wrote:Seriously, take me for example, 25 years old, single, spends time at one full time job, has one day of and then goes to work at a different whilst trying to build a good body of work to get into a journalism degree, meanwhile I'm also trying to run four days a week, get some swimming in and one decent ride. Amongst all of this there are friends to visit and washing to do, soooo if I choose to jump on a tram a few days a week for some peace and to read one of the million books that I haven't read, it really is because it's just too hard.
I don't even want to know what it would be like with children!
Glad to hear you want to be a journo too, but not sure about the degree. We both have them and they are totally useless... Keep writing articles for this site and others and i think you will get more valuable experience. Journo degrees all seem very light-on for writing craft - what little i have was picked up through professional writing subjects and a linguistics major. If you are interested in tv they only want "a face for camera". The industry is !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !!, but if you have the motivation a piece of paper won't be necessary.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Karati » Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:40 pm
I deal with creased clothes, massive back pack, etc by dropping off 3 or 4 shirts and a couple of pairs of trousers, underwear and a towel on Sunday night along with keeping a second toilet bag with shower stuff, hair wax, deoderant and shoes at work. Its a little bit of hassle dropping stuff off but I do it late arvo so no traffic and its much more pleasant not to have to drag in lots of stuff.
It takes a bit of getting used to but I recommend it to everyone.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Chris249 » Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:11 pm
My wife just rides in in her normal gear above the waist, but as an academic she's allowed to look unironed.
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Re: Why don't ladies commute?
Postby Comedian » Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:08 pm
Anyway, apparently I've inspired her and now she's all fired up and going to start riding to work. If she sticks at it - I'll be stoked. Actually I think as the workplace raving cycling loonie (we have normal sane cyclists) I think I've actually motivated some of them a bit. I'm happy about that.
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