Why is it important to carve out space for underrepresented gender identities in cycling?

by BikePGH Staff Contributor, DeAnna Srock, Director of Operations

Every year, hundreds of women + trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people come together in the depths of winter to raise funds for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and to race bikes at the Frigid Bitch. Each year, the race gets bigger, reaching and empowering more people of marginalized gender identities to build community and ride bikes in the “worst” weather and over some of the most brutal terrain in Pittsburgh, including, but not limited to: ice-covered cobblestones, steep city steps, gravel, train tracks, and of course, some serious hills.

Many aspects of mainstream bike culture can be unwelcoming for those who do not benefit from cis-male privilege. To help build confidence and know they belong in the cycling community, spaces that support and uplift those who have been consistently excluded are crucial. 

Normalizing bikes as everyday transportation and recreation options benefits us all. Cycling in all its forms has to be open and inclusive, because the more people on bikes, the better!  This is especially true if we want to make our city more sustainable, accessible, safer, and livable as a whole. The more inclusive and open our community, the more people will join this movement… so, no one should gatekeep the joy and adventure of cycling! 

How we make others feel welcome and safe (or not) is a huge part of building and growing our community. New and seasoned cyclists alike can benefit from checking in with themselves to see if they are upholding exclusionary ideas or welcoming and encouraging people to join the growing cycling community. 

When I see all of the riders at the Frigid Bitch, I see a community of badass people that have this space thanks to Anna-Lena. I see folks thriving in community thanks to those who created a space for us where none existed before. This race is more than riding in the most extreme winter conditions and going fast—it’s a place for people to come as they are, try something new, see Pittsburgh’s grueling topography from a new perspective, and know that they are tough and strong for any amount of miles they ride.

12 years of the Frigid Bitch Reclaiming Space 

As they describe themselves, “Pittsburgh Babes on Bikes is a group of lady+ cyclists dedicated to celebrating and supporting the continued empowerment of bicycle-riding women+ in Pittsburgh by organizing inclusive events, group rides, and races.”

“The Frigid Bitch alleycat was established in 2014 and has been raising money for the Women’s Shelter for ten years, since then becoming one of the largest women+ races in the world.”

“Cyclist Anna Lena Kempen gave life to the idea for The Frigid Bitch Race over 9 years ago because there wasn’t a space for her in the male-dominated cycling field. She wanted to create an inclusive space for women (and quickly realized the importance of including all underrepresented genders). The race would be harder, longer, colder and more terrible and awesome than other races, and it would be just for us.”

Director Danielle Dawn created a short film that beautifully tells the story behind the Frigid Bitch in A Bitch of A Race. 

Inclusive spaces aren’t seasonal – How You Can Show Up & Support

12th Annual Frigid Bitch
Sat February 15, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA

Whether or not you want to ride in Frigid Bitch XII, there are ways that you can support this inclusive event. Anyone can support this outstanding event by donating money to the Babes on Bikes Team or Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. You can also donate your time and labor by volunteering on or leading up to event day (BikePGH staff will see you there at one of the many secret checkpoints!)

See you at our checkpoint – and don’t forget a bike map

We highly recommend having a printed copy of our Official Pittsburgh Bike Map to aid you in your route planning. Pick one up at our office, or at bike shops around town.