When we talk about building a more inclusive cycling community here in Portland, some folks might think only of race and/or gender. But there’s another tendency in the cycling world that makes lots of folks feel left out: an industry-wide focus on thin bodies. It’s true: the cycling world has a body image problem.
That’s not surprising given that the cycling industry revolves mostly around elite racing, and those who compete and train at the highest levels shed ounces from their bodies with as much fervor as weekend warriors shed ounces from their bikes. It’s also not surprising that there’s a growing pushback led by a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 called “All Bodies on Bikes.”
Almost four years since that group launched with a popular video (that happened to be filmed in Oregon), Portland will finally get a local chapter of its own. All Bodies on Bikes Portland is lead by Colt Seidman, someone who’s own experience with the group speaks to its positive impact.
Seidman told BikePortland they first heard about All Bodies on Bikes a few years ago while recovering from a bike injury. “As a disabled, neurodivergent bicyclist, All Bodies On Bikes helped me feel less alone.” The All Bodies on Bikes community opened a world to Seidman that inspired her to take better care of her body and to become a better cyclist. “As a plus-size queer woman, I really felt a connection with All Bodies On Bikes (ABOB) and wanted to bring this special space to Portland, with some help of some community members.”
ABOB co-founder and Oregonian Kailey Kornhauser and board member Brian Benavente are helping Seidman with the launch. To help kick things off, they’ll host a film screening and group ride on February 9th (location TBD).
For now, roll over to Bike Happy Hour this week (Wednesday, 1/8 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Migration Brewing on N Williams Ave) to meet Seidman and learn more about what’s in store. And follow @ABOBPortlandOR on Instagram for updates.
Thanks for reading.
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This is cool.
You know what else would really add to diversity and inclusion in the Portland bike scene? A “Republicans on Bikes” affinity group. I realize there only about 75 Republicans in Portland but if one truly values inclusion, tolerance and diversity this is something one should support. Maybe the Street Trust would give them some start up funding.
Ha ha. When I visited Oklahoma recently, I rode with Republicans. It was inevitable.
And probably enjoyable right?
Out here in NC we actually have several conservative right-wing bike shop owners, successful too; their mechanics tend to be somewhat conservative as well as are many of their customers. I’ve also come across several Christian community bike shops who fix bikes for the homeless, refugees, recently-released convicts, recovering drug addicts, etc. – they do in fact have prayer meetings – but also they do excellent reliable repair work even on junky Magnas, Next, and Huffy (which they seem to prefer – less likely to get stolen.)
Our community bike shop here in Greensboro is strictly non-religious, which partly reflects the folks working here and the diversity of religions and politics, but mostly because the client agencies we deal with are themselves faith-based and we’ve learned to keep staff from different denominations from crossing paths with each other, particularly Baptists and Presbyterians. We also keep our pro-Zion volunteers away from our pro-Gaza volunteers.
Both our recreation riding advocacy and our mountain bike advocacy groups are very conservative (and politically passive), though the mountain bike group does build trails using city trail-building equipment. (We also have a left-wing “bicycles as transportation” advocacy group that helps run our Critical Mass rides, plus there are various mamil cycling clubs, including a very large and active chapter of Major Taylor made up of NCSU A&T African-American engineers and professionals. And we have the usual gamut of “bro” shops, boutique bike shops, an ebike-only shop, REI, and a corporate Trek shop, plus the department stores.)
Sounds like Greensboro, NC is a lot more diverse and tolerant than Portland. 🙂
It probably is, on both counts.
Bikes are inherently bipartisan.
George W. Bush was an avid mountain biker.
Biking is about freedom, about fiscal prudence, about families, about supporting businesses and economics – all those things at the core of pre-Trump Republican values.
Here’s a story about conservative Carmel, IN where they’ve built great bike infrastructure.
Unfortunately, there have been many making bikes a culture war/identity politics issue. It doesn’t need to be that way.
So, heck yes, Republicans on bikes. (Trump got about 70,000 votes in Multnomah County, likely most of which were from Portland, so it’s a bit more than 75).
“about fiscal prudence”.
My basement says otherwise.
Yeah, mostly right leaning Walmart money has turned Bentonville, AK into arguably the best mountain biking destination in North America.
https://www.visitbentonville.com/bike/
Cool article. Thanks for sharing. Here’s the lead in:
“A deep-red town in Indiana has a bicycling network that would make Boulder blush. Their secret? Forget the politics and treat bikes more like cars”
I think The Street Trust, Sarah Inarone and many Portland bike “advocates” should read this article.
Sounds like a great project for you to take on. You know, be the change.
Are you volunteering to lead?
I’m a registered Democrat, so no.
Seems like a great opportunity to “reach across the aisle” and promote inclusion, tolerance and diversity.
And now our government
a bird with two right wings
flies on from zone to zone
while we go on having our little fun & games
at each election…
–Ferlinghetti
LOL! It’s called a suburban weekend club ride. Just look for the semi-fit rider over age 40 in head-to-toe Rapha on top of his $15K professional quality racing bike with wireless shifting. Never talks riding, only business.
Hmmmm I have a 15k bike and wear Rapha. The bike was a job perk and the Rapha is from their sales. I’m also a democrat who lives in NE.
Can’t judge a book by the cover as they say… and there are definitely a lot of people from both and neither party who ride. Not always for commuting maybe but for exercise and for what ever joy they get out of it. No need to call out people for how they look or what kind of riding they do. Or for how they vote. I prefer to try to connect on commonalities than argue endlessly over politics.
I’m curious as to which suburban club rides you are describing.
I’m a moderate. I’d show up just to hear different viewpoints.
When I’m out for a ride, I’d rather hear NO political viewpoints. There are so many more interesting things to talk about.
They could all get together and not ride in bike lanes, holding to their conservative values of not taking car lanes away for other uses!
This sounds great! As a 65yo overweight gay guy on an ebike it’s interesting how much attitude I get from lean dudes in spandex.
I’m just commenting because this group deserves an appreciative comment.
And this comment deserves an appreciative response. Good job!
Thanks, Jonathan for providing this new article on “All Bodies on Bikes,” and thank you Colt for organizing the Portland chapter! I’ve seen the film about ABOB founders Kailey and Marley that was made in Oregon, and it is a truly inspiring film.