The Ovarian Psyco Cycles Brigade is making inroads in changing Los Angeles's male-dominated cycling culture and altering traditional concepts of Latino women.
Only one in five bicycle riders in Los Angeles is female. But a pioneering group of female cyclists organized by Latinas in their 20s from Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and Lincoln Heights "believe more women will turn out for rides with a female stride," writes Denise Florez.
"The [Ovarian Psyco Cycles Brigade] says the name 'is a play on words intended to be playful and simultaneously create some sort of acknowledgment/acceptance/pride in one's historically oppressed body.' Without blushing, the women use 'feminine positive' slogans and catchphrases too risque for a family newspaper," adds Florez.
"With male riders, 'there's that whole bro-ish kind of stuff,' [group leader Maryann] Aguirre said. 'We're not about who can ride fastest, we're about sisterhood.'"
FULL STORY: Latina bicyclists answer macho bike culture with their own chain gang

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Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA)
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
City of Apache Junction
City of Helena
Gallatin County, Montana
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