The female cyclist: she is now an integral part of Dutch traffic. In the past, it was mainly men who hopped on their racing bikes to take a ride, whether alone or in a peloton. Nowadays, they share the bike paths, country roads, and other paved routes with female cyclists.
The surge of female cyclists is not unique to the Netherlands; it's a global phenomenon. In other countries where cycling is not as ingrained as in our country, gender differences in cycling behaviour have been observed for years. Men generally cycle more for transportation or recreation in those places. This "gender gap" in cycling behaviour logically extends to road cycling. One frequently cited reason for women cycling less is that they perceive more risks and feel less safe than men. Gender roles and cultural norms can also play a role.
Netherlands is a leader in this regard, with cycling being equally common among women as it is among men. Over the years, road cycling has also gained popularity among women. Historically, men have often had an advantage in sports, including cycling. Until 1965, cycling in the Netherlands was primarily reserved for men, and women have only been allowed to participate in cycling as an Olympic sport since 1984. The percentage of women in the professional cycling world has increased significantly over the past decade. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) counted 28 teams with a total of 350 female riders in 2012. In 2021, this number had risen to 52 teams with 630 female cyclists. Recreational female cyclists are also on the rise, with a significant increase in the past year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strava data shows that women were responsible for a strong increase in uploaded activities in 2020, especially among women aged 18 to 29, with a 45% increase worldwide, and a staggering 108% increase in the UK. Men saw an increase of about 10%.
While men still cycle more for sport than women in the Netherlands, the popularity of road cycling among women is growing. Nowadays, cycling ranks among the top 10 most popular sports for women as well. The Royal Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU) estimates that there are about 360,000 female cyclists in the Netherlands. In 2019, there were 1253 female cyclists with a competition license and 16 female team directors. Dutch women excel in the international professional cycling world. Since 1966, Dutch female riders have demonstrated their strength. The Hage sisters (Bella, Keetie, and Heleen) had a flying start and filled their trophy cabinets over a 20-year period. In 1990, Leontien van Morsel appeared on the scene, winning 4 Olympic gold medals and becoming a 10-time world champion. Marianne Vos followed, winning countless awards. To this day, Vos serves as an inspiration for many young female cyclists following in her footsteps. Anna van der Breggen and Annemiek van Vleuten have also demonstrated their strength in recent years. Even lesser-known women like Ellen van Dijk and Chantal Blaak have achieved success at the international level.
The success of Dutch female cyclists is due in part to our "cycling culture," excellent cycling infrastructure, and the absence of gender differences regarding cycling in the Netherlands. As a Dutchman, whether male or female, learning to ride a bike at a young age is quite standard. Many of us were put on a bike by our parents, first practicing with training wheels, and then gradually finding our balance under the firm grip of mom or dad. Learning to ride without training wheels and without parental assistance is a significant milestone in the development of many Dutch children. As children, teenagers, and young adults, we often use bikes for transportation, whether it's getting to school, going out with friends, or running errands. In many other countries, cycling is not as common, and there are more people than we can imagine who have never even held a bike. Cycling has been ingrained in us from a young age, making the transition to road cycling much easier.
Of course, there is still much room for improvement in the world of female cycling. In the professional circuit, there is still significant inequality between men and women in terms of salary and recognition. Smaller "Continental" teams, in particular, face challenges, with some female riders not earning a salary from cycling. In the larger top teams, the WorldTour teams, female salaries have been improving, but they still lag significantly behind male salaries. For comparison, 57% of women in the women's peloton earn less than 15,000 euros per year, well below the minimum wage in the Netherlands. Female riders in top teams have secured a minimum salary of 20,000 euros per year, while male riders in similar top teams earn more than double that amount. Furthermore, more than half of the men at that level earn 120,000 euros per year. There is a substantial difference, which can be attributed to factors such as visibility, especially through the broadcast of races on (international) television. Media attention with a broad, international reach is currently predominantly focused on men's races and tours. Female riders are increasingly using social media to share their stories. More visibility and societal attention are needed to further grow women's cycling.
Promoting visibility for women in cycling begins with recreational cycling. At WOOBI., we work towards this visibility. Women on racing bikes should be seen, heard, and encouraged. Together, we can boost the popularity of cycling among women, attracting more women and young girls to engage in this fantastic sport. Will you join us?
© WOOBI.
Sources:
- Beyond the bicycle: Seeing the context of the gender gap in cycling
- Advancing cycling among women
- Making cycling irresistible: lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany
- Gender differences in cycling patterns and attitudes towards cycling in a sample of European regular cyclists
- The Development of Women's Professional Cycling
- https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/dutch-dominance-what-makes-the-netherlands-so-successful/
- https://www.knwu.nl/vrouwenindewielersport
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/16/women-behind-huge-increase-in-running-and-cycling-in-2020
- https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/het-vrouwenpeloton-laat-zich-niet-meer-wegzetten~b6dea517