BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Women Race Bikes, a planned website and app that will cover women's professional cycling, is seeking support via the crowd-funding website Indiegogo. Supporters of the proposed site are also looking for help from angel funding and business partnerships.
The Women Race Bikes project is being led by Sarai Snyder, the founder of Girl Bike Love and co-founder of CycloFemme, and Clara Beard, a freelance cycling writer and commentator for Tour Tracker.
The site would provide race coverage of women's road, mountain, cyclocross, track and BMX racing, along with stories of athletes, teams, and events.
"It has always been the mission of Girl Bike Love to be the hub and soul of women's cycling, telling the stories of women riding bikes," said Snyder. "Now with a dedicated following, we are proud to honor yet another aspect of women's cycling – the athletes who inspire, astound, and empower us. Bringing exposure to women's professional cycling is perhaps the most important next step to gain large scale visibility and grow the sport."
Women Race Bikes' advisory board members include Meredith Miller, Elayna Caldwell, Kacey Lloyd, Dorothy Wong, Kim Cross, Jayme Moye, Rachel Scott, Lanier Allen, and Steve McCallion.
The idea also has the support of the Women's Cycling Assocation, said Robin Farina, that organization's president.
"The creation of an all-women's media outlet specifically dedicated to women's professional racing is a giant step forward and the WCA looks to support wholeheartedly," Farina said.
Supporters cited statistics showing that 96 percent of all television sports coverage focuses on men and that in the U.S. between 2003 to 2012, the number of women and girls participating in bicycling rose 20 percent, while it dropped 0.5 percent among men and boys.
More information: The Indiegogo site | Women Race Bikes.
