Packed House for Women’s Awards

With the release of our Women on a Roll report, we’ve been showcasing the momentum behind women in bicycling for weeks now — and nowhere was that more evident than at Interbike last night (yep, you read that right!).

For context: Each year the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition hosts a keynote and awards ceremony, highlighting female leaders in the bike industry. Last year, the turn-out was good; but there were plenty of empty chairs. (Which was a pity, given the phenomenal keynote from ASI’s Pat Cunnane — watch that here.)

This year, the room was triple the size — and it was standing room only.

The place was packed and the energy was electric.

Not only did the two award winners — Jenn Dice of People for Bikes and Anna Schwinn of QBP — address an eager audience, but they each emphasized how many women have inspired, mentored and been their partners in forging increased female leadership in the industry.

Of course, there’s still a looooong way to go. Keynote speaker (and Women Bike Advisory Board member) Elysa Walk, General Manager of Giant Bicycle USA (pictured right), shared some of the false perceptions that continue to hold back the women’s market and female involvement in the industry.

See below for her top 5 myths about the bike industry — and solutions to push through the outdated paradigms.

The keynote wasn’t the only women’s specific event here at Interbike. Tonight Women Bike will be giving away free Women Mean Business t-shirts at the OIWC + Spokeswomen happy hour. If you’re here in Vegas, join us at the Women’s Lounge at 4 p.m. And if you’re not, stay tuned to Women Bike Twitter and Instagram (@womenbike) for pics from the event!