Thanks James for this piece on diversity, it's an important issue and follows the Bicycle Association report which came out on March 8th. In the bike shop I run we have a gender split of 4 women to 5 men, it's not perfect but we've got that far through looking at all aspects of recruitment - words, images, information. Just hoping that more women will turn up is never enough.
When I imagine working as a cargo bike courier the first things I think are 'how, where will I go to the loo?' and 'will I be able to lift heavy weights?'. Explaining how the working day operates, what you will be expected to do and what support you'll have, is step 1 towards attracting more diverse recruits. Whereas just saying 'Cargo Bike Courier wanted' doesn't tell me anything.
Interestingly the loo issue was mentioned in the report. Here's an excerpt:
4.2.4b On road gendered experiences - Lack of gender inclusive facilities and provisions
Given that riders spend most of their working day outside in public, toilet access is a key problem. Cuts to public services under austerity led to a significant decline in public toilets in London between 2000 - 2011119, a trend that has continued. Riders are left to rely on the discretion of pubs, cafes, and restaurants if they want to use the toilet. Sid describes how this discretion was not always exercised or the toilets available were inappropriate for their needs:
"Toilet dignity was a massive one . . . during COVID, like getting toilet access for any courier, but especially for women and non-binary people, was yeah quite degrading and quite difficult. There was some shifts where literally I think I was reduced to tears because I was just so like [laughs] I’m gonna wet myself . . . it’s like you want to feel comfortable at work and like I think access to a toilet is probably a basic human right."
(Sid)
Menstruation has a particularly acute effect on cargo bike riders due to the intense physical and mental nature of the role and is exacerbated by the lack of adequate facilities. For instance, Flo recounts that her employer is flexible and does not expect her to work during her period. However, as she is self-employed, this results in a loss of earnings. Similarly, Mia describes how in a male-dominated working environment, menstruation is not recognised as an issue that may have a significant physical or emotional affect. Although her workplace offers sick pay, she argues that one or two paid days off per month for menstruation might encourage greater gender diversity within the sector.
I don't think we should get too hung up just yet on the male and pale cargo bike industry. These things evolve and it is evolving already. I too was at Guildhall. The tide is turning and will continue to do so. As for Twitter. A wise judge once said the way to change a bad law is to obey it. The way to change a bad platform is to get in, speak out and change from within. Musk is a a interesting character. But imagine that drive and passion put to good.......
Well when would be a good time to talk about it? I disagree that things will 'evolve' in a fair and different way to whats happened before if we don't discuss it now, and together push for change.
Thanks James for this piece on diversity, it's an important issue and follows the Bicycle Association report which came out on March 8th. In the bike shop I run we have a gender split of 4 women to 5 men, it's not perfect but we've got that far through looking at all aspects of recruitment - words, images, information. Just hoping that more women will turn up is never enough.
When I imagine working as a cargo bike courier the first things I think are 'how, where will I go to the loo?' and 'will I be able to lift heavy weights?'. Explaining how the working day operates, what you will be expected to do and what support you'll have, is step 1 towards attracting more diverse recruits. Whereas just saying 'Cargo Bike Courier wanted' doesn't tell me anything.
Interestingly the loo issue was mentioned in the report. Here's an excerpt:
4.2.4b On road gendered experiences - Lack of gender inclusive facilities and provisions
Given that riders spend most of their working day outside in public, toilet access is a key problem. Cuts to public services under austerity led to a significant decline in public toilets in London between 2000 - 2011119, a trend that has continued. Riders are left to rely on the discretion of pubs, cafes, and restaurants if they want to use the toilet. Sid describes how this discretion was not always exercised or the toilets available were inappropriate for their needs:
"Toilet dignity was a massive one . . . during COVID, like getting toilet access for any courier, but especially for women and non-binary people, was yeah quite degrading and quite difficult. There was some shifts where literally I think I was reduced to tears because I was just so like [laughs] I’m gonna wet myself . . . it’s like you want to feel comfortable at work and like I think access to a toilet is probably a basic human right."
(Sid)
Menstruation has a particularly acute effect on cargo bike riders due to the intense physical and mental nature of the role and is exacerbated by the lack of adequate facilities. For instance, Flo recounts that her employer is flexible and does not expect her to work during her period. However, as she is self-employed, this results in a loss of earnings. Similarly, Mia describes how in a male-dominated working environment, menstruation is not recognised as an issue that may have a significant physical or emotional affect. Although her workplace offers sick pay, she argues that one or two paid days off per month for menstruation might encourage greater gender diversity within the sector.
I don't think we should get too hung up just yet on the male and pale cargo bike industry. These things evolve and it is evolving already. I too was at Guildhall. The tide is turning and will continue to do so. As for Twitter. A wise judge once said the way to change a bad law is to obey it. The way to change a bad platform is to get in, speak out and change from within. Musk is a a interesting character. But imagine that drive and passion put to good.......
Well when would be a good time to talk about it? I disagree that things will 'evolve' in a fair and different way to whats happened before if we don't discuss it now, and together push for change.
All for pushing for change.