All-women cycling team provide support, safe environment for female cyclists

KUALA LUMPUR – Former national cyclist Mariana Mohammad will be joining an all-women team at the L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France to promote women’s empowerment and inspire them to join cycling.

The all-women team comprises six members who are mostly amateur riders.

Mariana said they aim to provide support and a safe environment for women cycling on the road.

“As women, we need to stick together and give the proper support that everybody needs. Just because we are women, it doesn’t mean we are weak.

“We, too, deserve equal respect,” said the mother of two.

Mariana started cycling when she was 19 years old after her friend convinced her to join a triathlon and she became passionate about it ever since.

She eventually improved her skills and became a national athlete in 2009 and was crowned as champion of the 2010 National Championships Malaysia. The 44-year-old retired from the national team in 2015.

Her last participation in SEA Games was in 2013 held in Myanmar.

Even after retiring from the national team, the Decathlon ambassador said she continued to cycle professionally and leisurely.

“I love cycling and I’m passionate about it. Cycling is better than running for me because it makes my body feel good.

“Over time, I always feel that I need to consistently improve myself. However, I don’t push myself as hard as I used to anymore.

“I would still go for my usual night rides in Putrajaya. Every Monday at 8.30pm. Everybody is welcome to join me. This is more like a recovery ride for me after going on long distances over the weekend,” said the Sabahan.

Team manager Anderson J. Yu and team coach Gary Choong Kin Wah are the persons who came up with the idea to set up an all-women team for L’Étape Malaysia.

Anderson and Gary, who are both avid cyclists, have frequently witnessed women being mistreated in groups of predominantly-men cyclists.

They wish to educate women to cycle safely with good company while at the same time learning the basics about bicycles and road safety.

“I noticed that more women have started to join the cycling community. So, in every cycling group, there will always be at least one to two women while the rest are men.

“I also noticed that a lot of these women eventually leave their group over internal issues such as mistreatment or disrespect from fellow male teammates.

“These women would then start cycling alone, which is dangerous. You need to cycle in a group so that you could get help in case of any incidents.

“After a while, they just give up on cycling. It’s a shame,” said Anderson, who also runs a bicycle café in Rawang called Kayuh CA.

Another issue that he noticed was how some male cyclists looked down on women over their tight cycling clothes.

The clothes are made tight to reduce friction on the skin and prevent injuries as cyclists ride at full speed, as well as to improve their aerodynamics.

“When other female cyclists see our team at L’Étape Malaysia, I hope they will be more curious as to who these women are and what they do which in turn could excite them to join Mariana or other women cycling groups,” said Anderson.

He added that there have also been stigmas surrounding the cycling community that the sport posed a danger to motorists and themselves.

However, he said that incidents involving cyclists and road users can be reduced if proper education about cycling is given.

As such, Anderson and his team found that L’Étape Malaysia would be the perfect avenue to start their women’s empowerment and safety awareness campaign.

Subsequently, the team will also be roping in sponsors to collaborate with Pink Challengers – a group of breast cancer survivors – to conduct more women-empowerment campaigns in the future.

L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France will be held on June 4 in Desaru Coast, Johor.

With nearly 5,000 registered participants, it has been recorded as the world’s second-largest L’Étape by Tour de France series event.

It offers riders a choice of two routes − 140km and 60km − and the option to participate as solo riders or as team members.

The Vibes is the official media partner for L’Etape Malaysia, and is participating in two teams sponsored by the Vinod Sekhar Foundation.

The Vibes is a PETRA News company which also publishes the Bahasa Malaysia portal Getaran. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022.