Through my research into gender inequality in action sports, and Project FIAS (Fostering Inclusive Action Sports) I spend a lot of time thinking about Red Bull’s grip on mountain biking. The Hardline, and other events, are what people outside the sport know of mountain biking. Cyclists tell me they “couldn’t do mountain biking”, that it’s extreme, dangerous and crazy. There’s a bit of that, for sure, but the real value lies for many of us lies in time away from the rush of traffic, surrounded by trees and trails, alone with your thoughts or sharing some laughs and connecting with others. The coffee is often as important as the ‘shred’. More so. So, Red Bull events pose a problem, but they’re also a real opportunity to showcase what humans are capable of – the intense jumps, huge drops, incredible feats of skill and bravery. They are undeniably thrilling to watch. And all sports need heroes.
But…
Due to their elevated prominence in the representation of action sports, gender inequality in Red Bull events takes on even more prominence. This year, Red Bull cancelled Formation, a version of the Rampage free ride event supposed to help women build up to taking part in the main, competitive event. The Rampage co-founder commented that “while women aren’t prohibited from competing, there simply hadn’t been a woman who can ride the Rampage terrain the way the men can”. This feels lazy and defeatest, failing to recognise the way progression in sport happens – not overnight and not by accident, but with opportunity, leadership, exposure and patience.
The article here is written by Jess Holland and describes how another Red Bull event, the Hardline, has put in place a mechanism to support women to build up to participating. It’s crazily difficult, including a 17 metre gap jump that track designer Dan Atherton describes as having “zero room for error”. The initiative was pushed by Tahnée Seagrave to allow women from different mtb disciplines the chance to support each other and level up to the challenge of Hardline. Seagrave is a professional rider, but describes in the article the “frustrations of being a female rider growing up with fewer role models and less sense of possibility than male peers”. But by bringing women together to learn, support, and focus on their riding (and jumping), without feeling minoritised, then magic happens. Progression happens. The gaps are jumped, and past demons are vanquished.
Our research from Project FIAS is cited in this article. Although we are focusing on the more relaxed end of the mountain biking continuum, many of the same themes arise: women progress faster, enjoy mountain biking far more, and are more likely to stay in the sport, when they are supported by other women. They feel less on edge. Women only groups are cropping up all over the UK and they foster a sense of non-competitive support, belonging and validity. Project FIAS is currently developing a framework that will inform the work of organisations in a position to strengthen and support women in mountain biking, and to make sure that the rise of women-led, women-only groups leads to integration and cultural transformation, not just segregation. We have to recognise women’s experiences and barriers in engaging with action sports – and work to overcome them. It’s not enough to push the door open and expect them (as Seagrave describes it) to join a “man’s world”.