Current State of Women's Mountain Biking

Many respondents report positive experiences in the UK mountain biking community, with one rider noting, "I have generally found that male riders treat me with respect and acceptance." The increase in women's participation is evident.

"There's loads more women MTB now though than even 5 years ago." This growth is reflected in the emergence of women-specific events, groups, and initiatives across the country.”

However, the landscape is not uniformly positive. Some riders still feel out of place in certain environments, particularly at bike parks or during competitions where the atmosphere can be more intense if there aren't many other female participants. As one respondent shared, "Bike parks tend to be overwhelmingly male places, so that can feel a bit confronting, and there can be a lot of testosterone in the air!"

The diversity of experiences is notable, with women of all ages participating in the sport. Respondents ranged from those in their 20s to 60s, indicating that mountain biking appeals to a broad age range. Some women have been riding for decades, while others are newer to the sport, showing a mix of long-time enthusiasts and newcomers.

Riding preferences vary widely among women. Some prefer mixed-gender riding environments, while others value women-only events and groups.

Regional differences also play a role in women's experiences, with some areas having more active and inclusive communities than others. Additionally, many respondents noted that the sport has become more inclusive over time, though challenges remain, particularly in areas such as representation in media and availability of properly fitting gear and equipment.

Key Themes and Challenges:

Several key themes and challenges emerged from the responses:

Increasing visibility and participation of women in mountain biking
The importance of supportive communities and women-specific events
Persistent barriers to entry and progression for women riders
The need for better representation in media and marketing
The role of male allies in creating a more inclusive environment

Time and Responsibilities

One of the most significant obstacles for women is the lack of free time. As one respondent highlighted, "Women are also time poor, on average we have 30% less free time than men. Parental responsibility still is expected of women more than men." This time constraint can make it challenging for women to engage in the sport as frequently or intensively as they might like.

Representation and Perception

The lack of diverse representation in media and marketing was frequently noted. One comment suggested, "Need to see more diverse representation in the bike magazines - the front page is very nearly always a white male." This lack of representation can make it harder for women to see themselves as part of the mountain biking community."

Confidence and Risk Perception

Several responses indicated that many riders face mental barriers, regardless of gender. One rider observed, "I find the biggest problem is overcoming the fear. We can do bike courses but they don't deal ever with how to deal with the mental side of things." This suggests a need for more comprehensive coaching that addresses not just physical skills but also mental aspects of the sport for all riders.

Equipment and Clothing

Many women mentioned the difficulty in finding suitable gear. One rider pointed out, "Finding womens specific MTB clothes and protection is an issue. With myself and others often having to buy ill-fitted male-oriented clothing." The lack of properly fitting gear can be a significant barrier to entry and enjoyment of the sport.

Positive Changes and Initiatives

Despite these challenges, many positive changes are occurring:

Women-Specific Events: Events like women's days at bike parks have been well-received. One respondent mentioned ""More women's days and rides at various locations" and another shared "Bike parks are also encouraging more women to get involved by running women's days".
Community Building: Women-led groups and initiatives are flourishing. One respondent mentioned, "There are many, many social media groups of women riders who have self-organised their own community of women-only rides and events."
Improved Equipment and Clothing Options: While still an area for improvement, some progress has been made in women's gear. As one rider noted, "I'm super grateful to brands such as Dharco, Trailbloom, and Loose Riders for making the most awesome riding gear."
Coaching and Skills Development: Women-specific coaching is making a difference. One respondent shared her experience: "Encouraging women and coaching them to ensure they take on leadership roles."
Initiatives to encourage more inclusive MTB participation: e.g. British Cycling's Breeze program, which includes mountain biking in some places, was mentioned as a beneficial initiative for encouraging more women into the sport.
Role models and competitive inclusivity are leading to increased participation. As one respondent put it 'We have some great role models in the UK too, with superstars like Rachel Atherton, Vero Sandler and Tahnee Seagrave. Big events including women this year was really inspiring eg Rampage and Hardline" ..."The saying 'you've gotta see it to be it' rings true.

"Women's only spaces are super important especially for building specific skills in intimidating places but also there needs to be more effort put into mixed groups that are comfortable and fun for everyone.... I have loads of guys I ride with who are wonderful and have an amazing time with them so this is also great."

Diverse Perspectives on Women-Specific Events

While many women appreciate and benefit from women-specific events, it's important to note that these events don't appeal to all female riders. The community's views on this topic are diverse:

Some experienced riders prefer mixed-gender riding environments. As one respondent noted, "I deliberately didn't join the women's only group where I live because I've always worked in a male environment and I've just developed good relationships with other male riders who have been welcoming and super inspiring." Another stated, "As a woman who has been MTBing before 'womens days' existed, I personally can't stand the idea of them - I don't believe we need special days, and I avoid them like the plague."

However, as previously stated many women still find great value in these events. As one participant shared, "The ladies days at Bike Park Wales have been amazing to attend, give confidence and meet like-minded women."

This diversity of opinions highlights the importance of providing a range of riding opportunities to cater to different preferences and comfort levels. The ultimate goal should be creating an inclusive mountain biking community that welcomes and supports riders of all genders, skill levels, and preferences.

The Role of Male Allies

Male support is crucial in making the sport more inclusive. One respondent shared, "I'm surrounded by men who are comfortable stating when they feel vulnerable and overwhelmed, this has been a process they have engaged in and is ultimately supporting men's mental health as much as it's supporting female leadership." Another shared "I find the MTB community mostly very welcoming of me as a woman, and I have been openly encouraged and supported by men and women of all ages" Also there have been improvements over the years: "My early experiences of racing had always been impacted by men who were rude and abusive on the trails and seemed to feel that women, particularly those who rode a bit more slowly, were at best in the way, and at worst an affront to all that was good about the sport. My more recent experiences have rarely included men being rude or aggressive and this is very welcome."

However, there's still room for improvement. Some respondents pointed out instances of mansplaining, assumptions about skill levels, and other behaviors that can make women feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, for example as one respondent put it " Not dropping in directly in front of a woman/girl assuming they will be slower.. or not using sexual language around women in uplift vehicles ..and don't ride close behind/follow a female rider when out on the trails. It can make women feel very uncomfortable." It was clear from the comments that although there were more male allies and a better environment over time, negative traits making the sport less inclusive and welcoming still exist.

"Sometimes men need to make less assumptions about female riders though. Whilst the assumption that anyone can just get on their bike and ride tough trails is off-putting, men who assume all women are delicate flowers who can’t safely ride down anything with technical trail features are equally unhelpful. I think the first thing that men who aspire to be allies need to do is ask the women they ride with what they need, rather than relying on stereotypes."

Recommendations going forward

Based on the responses, several recommendations emerge for making mountain biking more welcoming for women:

Continued support for women-specific events and coaching whilst at same time encouraging mixed-gender riding groups and events to foster inclusivity
Creating more opportunities for women in leadership and coaching roles
Improving facilities, particularly in terms of clean, accessible toilets and changing areas
Increased availability of women's gear and properly fitted equipment
More diverse media representation
Greater emphasis on mental skills and confidence building for all riders
Active allies to support inclusion and call out and educate on non-inclusive behaviours
Addressing the gender pay gap to make the sport more financially accessible

"Women only communities play an important role, providing matriarchal, non-masculine riding experiences that reconfigure mountain biking so it's more about connection and self expression and less about competition. But what I find really fascinating is the way mountain biking in mixed gender contexts is changing as a result of women's growing involvement. This is where the magic happens. The decentring of hegemonic masculinity, for many (and including men), is a relief."

Practical Steps

The Fostering Inclusive Action Sports (FIAS) Framework, developed by Dr. Fiona Spotswood at the University of Bristol, represents a pioneering effort to combat gender inequality in mountain biking. This work was called out multiple times in the comments and for good reason. The framework focuses on several key pillars:

Building MTB Community
Integration of Women+ in Mountain Biking Culture
Diversifying MTB Leadership
Transforming MTB Cultural Representation

This framework involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including British Cycling, Forestry England, the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA), Scottish Cycling, and Welsh Cycling. It also emphasizes the importance of grassroots initiatives and community leaders.

They have valuable hands on practical resources and guides be you a cycling organisation, policy developer, or a grass-roots community looking to develop and become more inclusive, or for those seeking to set up a women+ mountain bike community.

Conclusion

The UK mountain biking scene is evolving, with women playing an increasingly prominent role. While challenges remain, the community's efforts to become more inclusive are bearing fruit. By addressing the obstacles faced by women riders and building on successful initiatives, the UK mountain biking community can continue to grow more diverse and welcoming for all riders.

"The number of women on the trails, and taking up the sport in general is growing. I'm very lucky to know many amazing riders, of all ages, shapes and sizes and skill levels. There is womens only coaching, festivals, events, women's start waves in races BUT we still need more women to throw caution to the wind and not be afraid to take to the start line of races. To put themselves out there and say hey! I want to shred, anyone care to join?"

This article is the result of a collaborative effort to understand and improve the landscape of women's mountain biking in the UK. We started by posing questions to our community through social media, comments, and a survey. The responses we received were diverse, insightful, and invaluable in shaping this comprehensive look at the current state of women's mountain biking. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences, thoughts, and suggestions. Your contributions have been crucial in identifying key themes, challenges, and opportunities for growth in the sport.

We encourage readers to continue sharing their perspectives, experiences, and ideas as well as their views on the article in the comments below or on the survey form. Your input is invaluable as we work together to create a more inclusive and diverse mountain biking community in the UK. Together, we can shape the future of mountain biking to be more welcoming and accessible for all riders, regardless of gender.