This morning's commute (the 'ugh' edition)

Not only is Greg three time World Champ - he's the most successful DH racer of all time with career spanning decades. And he would have come a long way to get to Soho Bikes last night.If he wasn't angry when that line of questioning came out, he should have been. Totally inappropriate on so many levels.

Proud of @Doctor_Cake for speaking out.

yesterday a guy just shouted SEX. at me as i cycled past. i kid you not. he was drunk in the morning though but still. i also got a swit-swoo esque wolf whistle, do not want.

What is wrong with some people ?!?

http://everydaysexism.com forever relevant (/depressing)

London Bike Kitchen's Women & Gender Variant workshop today was so good - lovely to see our very own @kat speaking as well as interactive talks on sexual harassment while cycling (thank u hollaback ldn who have been mentioned before in this thread) and caren hartley of hartley cycles telling us all about her business and craft. plus, the ladies of lfgss doing 'rad shit' in the morning!

what a positive day.

while i was on the overground to stratford this morning a guy took photos of me and my bike. he was sitting opposite me and i could see it in the reflection of the window. so lame. it's happened before. i ignored it as i was nonplussed as to what i would even say and tbh it was pretty low on the impact scale of things people do which frustrate or frighten me when i'm cycling.

after bryony's harassment talk today i just wanted to reiterate that any response is a valid response. doing whatever you can, or want, to feel safe from uninvited / unwanted attention is fine. do not let some asshole ruin your day.

kat had a really interesting idea for a project similar to the 'near misses' concept but centering on gendered harassment of cyclists... kat would you like to elaborate?

I admit I sometimes take photos of people on trains or wherever. Sometimes because I like a print they're wearing and I want to remember it, sometimes just because it (the scene) looks interesting. I do generally take a lot of photos of a lot of things. It's never because I want to perv at them later. On the rare occasions I've noticed someone taking a photo of me, I freeze slightly because it's uncomfortable, but I try and "allow" it because I figure it's give and take.
(This isn't said to diminish what you said, but just conscious of my personal actions being on the other side. Perhaps it's always perceived in a creepy way and I should stop... )

kat had a really interesting idea for a project similar to the 'near misses' concept but centering on gendered harassment of cyclists... kat would you like to elaborate?

I'm reminded of the 101 Wankers tumblr from yonks ago;

http://101wankers-blog.tumblr.com/

I was so sad to find the 101 wankers had stopped.

Something like this would be great.

I'm generally quite anxious about these things but this talk was really positive and helpful- I think its so important to have your own personal 'self help kit', whatever works when you're feeling low after such an encounter/whatever helps you shake it off. Always remember, you're fucking amazing and kick ass. <3

contribution from a girl in my track team. she works in a bike shop, has raced for a couple of years, needless to say even if she DIDN'T know shit about bikes this would be unacceptable:

Bloody hell.

another girl has commented on the thread saying she's had a similar experience...

oh wow. I mean, sure, I've used to condescending attitudes and patronising and whatever while shopping but that's just outrageous.

I think that's actually prosecutable ...?

I hope she had words with the shop owners. Either they're having their business sabotaged by a dickhead employee, or they endorse his views and deserve a good ol' internet name and shame.

I knew sexism still at large in bicycle shops, but that's incredibly blatant.

Definitely need to name and shame if shop owner doesn't do anything about it.

needs a name and shame

Fuck me that's so dumb, I reckon email of complaint to the shop owner and if they don't have a satisfactory response to give then they deserve a name and shame for sure.

it was a bike shop in Madrid, where she's training at the moment. harsh but fair imo. i really do wonder what the employee in question's behaviour will be, going forward. eg how much he will have taken on board about WHY it was unacceptable, and not just being/becoming bitter towards female cyclists or customers now. that certainly wouldn't help.

Well I hope he has a think about how he conducts himself in the future, good on the bike shop for being so proactive though!

To be honest, I feel it's a good move by the shop.

If he didn't get fired and simply got warned not to be sexist, would he really think twice next time? knowing some people in the cycling industry, they tend not to dwell over it.

trackstanding at lights near my house this morning. goes green, i move forward, white van behind me rolls up alongside, puts his window down and says "you look really good on that bike" and gives me what i assume he thinks is a cheeky wink. gross. go away.

today when i was riding this bike around town someone looked me up and down and just said: "FABULOUS." unwarranted but a rather nice change!

Was it near oval?

Peckham library