CX Down Under - International Women’s Day Survey 2022: Your Feedback
One of the many great things about the sport of cyclocross is its gender diversity - as the State of Australian Cyclocross series showed that in 2019 women made up around 25% of participants in cyclocross around Australia.
While this is a higher rate of female participation than other cycling disciplines such as mountain biking or road cycling, there’s still work to be done to strive for gender equality in the sport of cyclocross, especially as it pertains to racing in Australia and New Zealand.
With that in mind, we created a survey to gain feedback on the current state of gender equality in the state of cyclocross, just in time for International Women’s Day 2022. Thanks to all those who responded. Please note that there are different levels of privacy for different respondents, each according to their wishes.
The answers are below - we hope you find them insightful.
What obstacles (if any) have you encountered that prevented/delayed your entry into the sport of cyclocross?
Not enough races close to Melbourne.
C.W.
Lack of fitness, combined with my work schedule.
Anonymous
Didn't know about [cyclocross] and didn't have a CX bike, but now I certainly do.
Tracy Johnson
Limited events or advertising/knowledge of events; races are far away/hard to get to.
Anonymous
Gemma Kernich is the president of Port Adelaide Cycling Club, a highly skilled mechanic and a former Masters world champion on the track.
Photo: @thatbikenerd
What's the best thing you've seen an organiser or fellow racer do to promote gender equality in cyclocross Down Under? How did that make you feel?
Just love pictures of women racing, and women being asked sensible & technical cyclo-cross race questions - racers are racers. Makes me feel that women's racing is taken seriously and respected
V.J.
The womens/trans focused social CX group Banshee CX in Queensland.
Anonymous
Having a woman president with stacks of infectious enthusiasm [at my local race series], who ran regularly skills sessions. Kim Hurst rocks. And having other women on the committee.
Anonymous
Women-only races and a range of grades or age groups is all I'm after!
C.W.
Always have standalone women’s races - irrespective of the numbers.
Anonymous
MOOD Racing has been the best thing for [me] personally. They encourage everyone to race and promote the sport to all. Their socials depict equality. If you ride or race, you appear in socials.
Tracy Johnson
Angela Coleman makes a hasty dismount at Garvey Park in Round 5 of the 2019 Numbat Cup. She’d go on to win an age-group National Championship in Women’s Masters 4 later in 2019.
Photo: @k__v__a
What's the biggest setback or worst piece of behaviour (related to gender) you've encountered in your time riding or racing cyclocross? How did that make you feel?
None, the Huttcross community is amazing. It is also worth noting that the Wellington/Wairarapa cycle community is really supportive, most race multiple styles. I race road masters and 'cross, but also train on the velodrome.
Anonymous
Never experienced [it]. Always is a positive and encouraging atmosphere for all genders.
Anonymous
Verbal abuse while training, but that's mostly road cyclists and occasionally MTB. It's made me change when and where I ride.
C.W.
Nationals still needs to get onboard. If local club can do it, then Nationals have no excuse. If one gender gets a race, then both genders.need the same race space.
Tracy Johnson
WA is spot on with gender equity, and I always feel supported. I have seen some inequity in AusCycling media reporting with youth/attractiveness being more focussed on than ability/results. It makes me feel that women are still judged on appearance, rather than ability.
V.J.
Dr Kim Hurst is a proud Kiwi, a local GP, a race organiser and a pretty handy bike rider in her own right. Here she is leaning into the berm at the 2018 Melbourne Grand Prix of CX, with Nat Redmond close behind.
Photo: @thatbikenerd
What changes (if any) would you like to see event organisers make to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?
Stop calling women “girls” when commentating, promote more participation through clubs, run club series on days other than weekends like they do with crits so those with weekend commitments have a chance to participate.
Anonymous
Covid has destroyed two seasons in a row in Victoria. I'd just like to see the racing come back. And preferably low key, fun, inclusive club races, with kids racing too. So I can get the whole family out.
C.W.
Have the women's race in marquee position some of the time. Encourage women to be involved in race organising to bring in ideas to support women entering the sport.
V.J.
At Huttcross I think it's great, no changes needed.
Anonymous
Feel that WACX is doing this - have female-only events, equality of prizes. Encourage first time women’s riders with reduced entry for some events. Could be more skills sessions, but there are some already offered [at] some events.
Anonymous
Don't race mens races mixed in with the lower grade women’s races.
Tracy Johnson
Dr Miranda Robinson is a passionate C grade racer from Victoria, who also happens to be an obstetrician and gynaecologist and a mum of two. Here’s to always feeling the stoke!
Photo: @thatbikenerd
What changes (if any) would you like to see men (male riders and racers specifically) make to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?
Just be polite on the course. If you are passing, let the rider know you are coming from behind. Just because you are passing me, doesn't mean I’m not winning my race and my time and space is equally important. So wait and I will make room when I can.
Tracy Johnson
None. The Huttcross guys, even if you don't know them when you go to pack your car ask how you went.
Anonymous
Organise more social skills sessions in off season to develop women’s skills and confidence, encourage participation through clubs (eg by offering training).
Anonymous
WA can keep doing what it's doing - the fellas are doing a great job here in the west.
Anonymous
I've only had positive experiences from men while cyclocross racing (albeit limited experience). They were really encouraging.
C.W.
The women’s B grade field is ready to take to the start line at Beechworth in a Victorian CX Series round in 2018.
Photo: @thatbikenerd
What's something small we can all do to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?
Equal time/importance given to women's podiums & prizes, equal publicity (photos, race reports etc.).
V.J.
Don't assume your position in the race/field is more important than another’s.
Tracy Johnson
Encourage female riders from other disciplines to give it a go.
Anonymous
Kid’s racing, events where there's a playground, pump track or similar to keep them entertained.
C.W.
Don’t cancel events or categories due to low participation otherwise we will never get a chance to grow or develop the sport
Anonymous
The combined women’s A, B and C grade fields gather for a post-race photo opportunity at a 2018 round of the Victorian cyclocross series at Mt Beauty.
Photo: @thatbikenerd
In your mind, what will be the biggest sign that cyclocross Down Under has achieved gender equality?
When State Champs have more than the podium places in all women’s grades racing. Starting with U15, U17 and U19. Why are they so low?
Tracy Johnson
Increased participation. Triathlon does it better than any cycling sport, although struggling to put my finger on why.
C.W.
Equal number of women racing, equal number of women in pro/semi-pro teams.
V.J.
When women’s and men’s fields are of equal size.
Anonymous