Do Women Need Women's Specific Bikes?

This question is not a new one, and it will inevitable evoke some spirited debate from both sides of the fence. It is a question that has been batted around for some years now, causing anguish in the camp of those that believe women are just riders, and should therefore be the same as their male riding counterparts. What was once a simple question, is now a debate that seemingly links to a broader topic of gender equality. It’s a question that raises that well-used attack on “shrink it and pink it” bikes, accused of being marketing guff, yet nearly two decades on, cycling companies are still producing “women’s specific” bikes. Further more, they’re pumping more and more money into research and development of women’s specific bikes. Let me tell you now, cycling companies do not tend to spend that much time and money on bikes that are a lost cause. Women’s specific bikes are clearly still in demand, but the question remains, do we need them?