Woman Insight/ Competition/ Observation

Over the past couple of weeks we have been looking into other companies to see where other companies are at as far as their women's market. Just from the initial look one can already see the shadow that men have in the industry of cycling. Research has shown that men will cycle 3 times more than women. This is a big chunk of people to not offer products to. On the other hand Po Campo's main goal seems to be encouraging women to bike more and more by making it more convenient and stylish. They want to make it empowering to women and this may mean that by not entering the male market, it may make it even more empowering for a woman to ride.

Right now Po Campo only has 2 styles of bags with roughly 3 prints for each. The are sold in 12 different locations in Chicago (Rapid Transit, Smart Bike Parts, and more), 1 in Denver, and 2 in Seattle. (15 total). Emily and Maria and the founders of this Chicago based company, who graduated from the University of Illinois.

- Sustians has launched Bikebelles, a website exclusively for women cyclists. This website is to inform women how to stay safe, get started, and stay in fashion.

- Check out Knog Gekko bike lights.

- Sackville Shop Sack - has a Banana Rep. esque feel to it. They use fabric used for rain and sun protection used in Range Rovers.

- Cyclodelic Messenger Bags - use cordura for their outer fabric

- "I don't dress in cycling gear on my way to work because i don't want people to look me as someone who is a cyclist, because it will turn people away." as in wearing street clothes gives off the impression that anyone can do it.

- DOYOUelo - French website for cycle fashion (men and women). Personally don't think they look very practical

- Swrve - make pants for men and women

- Outlien - make men's pants (Schoeller Dryskin - 80% nylon, 10% poly, and 10 spandex)

The thoughts of a woman cyclist:

-Takes clothes to change into at work.

-Uses backpack to carry her items and sometimes straps the backpack to the back of her bike to prevent back sweat.

-Takes a wash cloth and soap to do a mini bath so that she isn't all sweaty and smelly.

- "Women carry more shit around then men in general. We are going to need more space."

- Things often carried: lunch, clothes, shoes, and "work" for the day.

- Thinks that a tool kit for more serious bikes is a must. Something that could stay with the bike.

- Find a good place to put the bike lock.

- "Just because they are for women doesn't mean they are for all women."

observations and thoughts

Over the past week we have gone out and have been trying to see how people are riding there bikes while carrying there bags amongst other things. We have observed a great amount of the same type of stuff, home made milk crate and bungee racks, along with bags that are made for the bike and and get the job done and do the job well but could use a little "flare".... So we think we are to a point to start getting a little more inquisitive with cyclist and we have begun coming up with some rough question for a survey. An idea that is in the works with the surveys, is that there will be two different surveys. One will be for the more prominent riders and then the other will be more for the casual rider. In the surveys we will be trying to find out what people are looking for in there bike accessories and trying to find out what has worked for them in the past and what has maybe failed. Then with all the information that has been collected we can start to visualize products and start roughing out some models.

Some competition and some related blog links.... i don't know if this is a good or bad idea but what I'm thinking is if we look at bikes and regular apparel for bikes and the riders first. We can then start to think about the fashion because we need to know why cyclist wear what they wear and then we can design around those stipulation and make some nice fashion able products.... Side note bags are one ave. on this project i think there are a lot more options in accessories and maybe rain gear, or even helmets.
londoncyclechic.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-addition-to-womens-cycling.html
www.rivbike.com
www.cyclodelic.co.uk/
www.eurobike-show.de/eb/supporting-programme/eurobike-fashion-show.php?lg=en