by Molly Hurford
Kids like to ride bikes. A 2015 survey by U.S.-based PeopleForBikes found, however, that in the States, girls ride less than boys starting at age 10. In Canada, it’s likely no too different. One way to inspire girls to keep riding is to present them with role models and examples of cyclists like them or riders who they can identify with. Here are links to cool organizations, pro riders and women who show just how much fun it is to ride bikes.
Instagram accounts of cool groups for girls
Shred Girls is a book series and a site all about girls sharing the love and the fun of riding. Fast and Female and Little Bellas mentor and encourage young women to ride, while Velociposse is for older women.
Instagram and Twitter accounts of rad riding women
Two-time cross country world champion Catharine Pendrel, national XC champion and 2018 worlds bronze medallist Emily Batty as well as other top XCers, such as Haley Smith, Sandra Walter and Soren Meeuwisse share fantastic and fun shots on Insta. (While not Canadian, Scottish racer Hannah Barnes is worth a follow for her gorgeous adventure shots and adorable trail dog.)
For a more enduro perspective on mountain biking, Isabelle Jacques and Andréane Lanthier Nadeau (better known as ALN) and Squamish-based 2017 UCI downhill world champion Miranda Miller have seriously rad feeds. Downhilling near the North Shore? Check out Vaea Verbeeck.
If you’re more of a cyclocross fan, check out Canadian superstar Maghalie Rochette, or U.S.-based barrier-bunny-hopping Ellen Noble. For BMX racing and jump-line fun, check out 14-year-old Emma Robbescheuten. On a global scale, you have to check out World Bike Girl, who rides around the globe and helps street dogs. For advocacy, Ayesha McGowan is amazing for her work getting more women of colour on bikes and striving to become the first black pro female cyclist on the road.
Hashtags to follow
You can discover more inspiring ladies via the following hashtags as well, especially now that Instagram has allowed users to follow hashtags as well as accounts. Fast and Female has been asking female athletes to use the #SheIs (Instagram, Twitter) and #FastAndFemale (Instagram, Twitter) tag to inspire women. And for more cycling-focused hashtags all about getting girls and women riding, check out #ShredGirls (Instagram), #MoreGirlsOnBikes (Instagram) #RideLikeaGirl (Instagram) and #MTBgirls (Instagram, Twitter).
Facebook groups for female cyclists
There are plenty of great women’s cycling groups on Facebook that you can join, from ones created by your local bike shop to more global groups where female cyclists worldwide can unite. Check out Canada-based Ride Like a Girl—getting more women on mountain bikes, Shred Girls—promoting youth cycling for girls, Fast and Female—sharing athletic events and meetups for girls all over North America, but particularly in Canada, and Little Bellas, which showcases girls’ MTB rides, clinics and camps.
Websites to follow
For young women hoping to get started riding, check out FastAndFemale.com for tons of resources and events where you can meet like-minded girls, and visit Shred-Girls.com for tutorials and interviews all done with young women riders. If you’re an older rider looking for MTB skills, ShredSisters.ca is home to great skills-coaching, all done by female coaches. Lastly, CyclingCanada.ca is a great resource for finding race information, finding out the latest cycling results, and keeping an eye on which races are offering the most equal payouts for men and women. (For hundreds more suggestions, check out this Twitter thread and this great guide to women’s bike blogs.)
Rad Female Cyclists on YouTube
YouTube and cycling videos in general remain incredibly male-dominated, but that is beginning to change bit by bit. Remember that Ferda Girls cycling parody video from last summer? It has nearly a million views. But for more current videos, check out Ruby Isaac Cycling to see the 11-year-old slaying some amazing tricks on her rollers. To watch one woman’s trek across Canada by bike, visit Ride On Cycling. Juliet Elliott’s U.K.-based channel is one to watch for road/fixie inspiration and high-end women’s gear. Or, if you’re more into women’s mountain biking, BABOB Women’s MTB Channel and Dusty Betty have you covered.
