A man in Canada had a frustrating experience recently when he was refused pickup of his newly purchased bicycle after exceeding the weight limit established by the manufacturer…or so the story read. But is it so simple?
Turns out, the customer was asked to sign a waiver acknowledging that he was aware he exceeded the weight limit (and could’ve taken the bike home then.) The customer refused to sign and instead went to the media. Here’s the whole story.
I’ll let you decide for yourself who, if anyone is in the wrong here and if it’s discrimination, but I can definitely empathize with both the bike shop and the customer in this situation.
But instead of trading jabs at either the store or the customer, I’d instead like to offer a few ideas for broader solutions which would make the cycling world more inclusive to all, but especially people in larger bodies.
For the Bike Industry
Make Stronger Bikes - Regular people are getting into riding bikes and need equipment that is going to work for them! I would advocate for stronger bikes across all segments (road, mountain, recreational, electric) but especially recreational and commuting. I think we’re just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of a fundamental shift in how people get around and a whole lot more folks are going to be looking for practical, strong bicycles that can carry groceries, kids, and be everyday bicycles.
Make the Weight Limit Info Easier to Find -Some brands are already doing this and it’s awesome. For those that aren’t, make it easier! Put this in the owners manual and simple to understand.
Educate Bike Shop Employees - This one is a little bit sensitive, as we don’t necessarily want shop employees walking up to a person in a larger body and saying “Hi! You’re fat, I have just the bike for you!” But knowing how to sensitively and appropriately approach the topic of weight limits, appropriate shock pressure for different weights, and bike selection for different body types is crucial for a welcoming bike shopping environment.
Make Clothing for Larger People - This one feels like a chicken and egg. Fat folks ride in the rain and cold. Fat folks get wet and cold and need appropriate clothing. Please make larger sizing.
Hire me to train your staff and employees! Here’s a primer on what we can talk about - we can also customize it to your industry. Kudos to those brands that have already brought us in - we’ve had excellent conversations and I’m really excited to see future changes!
For Consumers
Do your Research - I know we’re already experts at this (find me a fat person who hasn’t looked up the weight limit of a zip line, seat width of an airplane, or confirmed to see if we’ll fit in a booth.) The burden should not be on our shoulders, but it can definitely help conversations at the bike shop if you have an idea of what you’re looking for before you go in.
If you’re just getting started, read this blog post - “Biking While Fat - 4 Things I Wish I Knew”
Support brands that are doing the work already - While somewhat limited, there are bike manufacturers who currently make bikes designed to hold a lot of weight. Surly Bikes and Zize come to mind (note: I love Surly but have not personally tried Zize.)
I’d also advocate that these tips are useful beyond the bike industry and could be applied to many outdoor pursuits. What else would you add to this list?