This image, “Cycling at 32 weeks” is from Simply Bike on Flickr.
There is an interesting debate in the cycling advocacy world about different rates of male vs. female cycling “commuters” (males in the US ride in much greater numbers than females). The debate has often come to rest on the lack of safe cycling facilities and women’s work load at home and at the office – but are there other reasons for the disparity?
What is it like when you live in a city that supports cycling in a deep and meaningful way … and you’re pregnant?
Mikael Coleville-Andersen has been inspiring the world for several years with his pictures and words about living the good life with bikes in Copenhagen on his blog Copenhagenize. Recently, he turned his attention to the topic of riding while pregnant:
“Cycling whilst pregnant is virtually prescribed here in Denmark and there is no reason not to do it. Beats walking by a long shot, easy on the back and it increases your mobility radius while giving you decent exercise.”
This is sure to spark debate in the U.S.: “She’s guilty of homicide if she falls over!”; “Yay environment, ride a bike all the time!”; etc.
What is your take?
One Comment
Riding a bike is normal. Pregnancy, f or women, is expected. Both have the potential for peril, but don’t obstetricians usually prescribe moderate physical activity (in general, along with specific muscle exercises for the “core”)?
The issue may be the perception of cycling — as an innately dangerous high-stress activity, sort of like a cross between roller derby and the Race Across America (RAAM). The spate of crashes in this year’s Tour de France (which is SO like MY ride to the yoga studio) didn’t help any.