Women in Cycling: An Uphill Climb for Gender Equity

This ethnographic study is about the unique experiences of women in the cycling world. Women’s experiences in cycling differ from those of men in the way that they present themselves, are treated, paid, and recognized in the media. These differences stem from how women’s identities and roles are shaped at a social level. I am exploring the position of women in cycling using the theoretical framework of Gender Studies which analyzes and explains the social construction of the female gender. Gender Social Construction theory addresses how, as social beings, we are products of our culture, society, and environment, and we are conditioned by society throughout various stages of our lives that transform us into gendered individuals, embodying specifically learned gender roles and behaviors. I will also use the theoretical framework of the sociology of sport and the unique dynamics that exist for female athletes. Generally, women are socially conditioned to pursue sports to a lesser degree than men. The realm of sports is mostly male dominated and caters to characteristics and qualities that are encouraged more in men than in women. In extreme sports, like cycling, this is even more pronounced. In all cycling disciplines male participants far out number the women, reflecting this social reality. However, despite the lack of support women receive, there are currently numerous competitive women cyclists who pursue cycling at high levels and have succeeded in breaking through various boundaries and social norms in order to do so