It has been observed that if we really want to accelerate transportation cycling into mainstream culture, a focus on the needs of women is needed. Cycling in America is male dominated with a report 2:1 or more ratio of men to women choosing two wheels. In addition to expanding the pie, women have a larger impact on shifting the culture in general. They push the stereotype away from the spandex road warrior, and since women are still the prime errand runners in most homes, their choice of a bike has more impact on who is road.

New York City has seen a boom in cycling in the last several years, and it has extended to women as this video from StreetFilms shows.

Interesting that social interaction with other women, seeing other women riding, and good facilities seemed to be a big part of making the switch. Any time I see women out biking like this, I get really inspired and hopeful about the future.

If you are running errands everyday, especially with children, cargo bikes really make doing this by bike possible. In a followup to last week’s article and video on cargo bike developments, StreetFilms has another great short on cargo bikes in Copenhagen.

The owner of bakfiets maker Harry vs. Larry is quoted saying 25% of Copenhagen residents with children own cargo bikes because they just make sense. Image 25% of the kids at your local elementary school being dropped off by cargo bike instead of the line of cars every morning. That would be truly awesome.

In addition, at the end there is some footage from the first world cargo bike race. I think it’s time Austin did a cargo-cat race. What you think?