Must Watch: All Bodies on Bikes, a Shimano Original

Written by Zach Overholt Mar 30, 2021 10:46 a.m. ET

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How can we make cycling more inclusive? Well, we can start by realizing all bodies are not alike. Shimano’s latest film, All Bodies on Bikes “dives headfirst into hard conversations about society’s obsession with weight, growing up fat, and issues of disordered eating.” The result is a powerful short film that will inspire people of all shapes and sizes to get out and ride.

From Shimano:

Kailey Kornhauser and Marley Blonsky are on a mission – a mission to change the idea that people in larger bodies can’t ride bikes. The duo aims to make cycling more inclusive, beyond just inviting people of all sizes to ride bikes, but by changing the entire idea of what it means to be a cyclist — not just on screens, but on trails and in people’s minds.

Director: Zeppelin Zeerip
Producer: Zac Ramras
Director of Photography: Michael Brown
Editor: Michael Brown
Sound Design: Avery Sandack
Animation: Studio
Dialog Starring: Kailey Korhauser Marley Blonsky
Music: Easy Giant
Rigger: Kyle Metzger

Native Lands: Duwamish, Coast Salish, Kalapuya, Chemapho, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Alsea, Tillamook, Siletz, and Yakina.

Additional Thanks: Corvallis Bicycle Collective, Black Rock Mountain Bike Association, Velo Orange, Free Range Bike Shop

Thank you for checking out the official #RideShimano YouTube channel! You can subscribe to all our videos here https://www.youtube.com/rideshimano via the red ‘Subscribe’ icon in the top right-hand corner.

Websites: https://mtb.shimano.com – https://bike.shimano.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ShimanoMTB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShimanoMTB
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ShimanoMTB

Zach Overholt

5,633 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Hank

3 years ago

Yeah it’s cool that there’s a drive to increase the popularity amongst obese people but everyone that wants can buy a bike and start cycling. It’s mostly not a group sport. And unlike jogging you don’t hurt your joints as much.

craigmedred

3 years ago

That these two women are riding bikes is great. That it seems to make them happy is woderful.

But the timing of this video release is rather odd. Does Shimano not realize that obesity has been directly linked to the high death rate from COVID-19? I like the idea of celebrating inclusivity in cycling, but is this really the time to be celebrating obesity?

This is not suggestion anyone shame, reject or in any way make life more difficult or uncomfortable for fat people or fat cyclists. But there is a legitimate question to be asked about whether the message that “I’m fat and happy about it” (or even “I’m fat and fine with that)” is a good message to send, particuarly at this time.

Mr Pink

3 years ago

Reply to craigmedred

That’s a very sincere and real question to ask. There is a fine line that needs to be walked. One side its’ awesome Shimano gave these women a platform to tell their story, I really hope it inspires other over weight people to take up the sport. The sport really hasn’t done a good job of marketing itself to this demographic…or really anything outside the normal super fit racer type (don’t see many “dad bods” in ads in the cycling industry). So on that side, it’s super awesome.

But on the flip side, and this is coming from someone who needs to loose 40lbs easily, being overweight has taken it’s toll on my body and quality of sleep. It’s also manifested itself into a hip issue, as for every pound you’re overweight is like 3lbs on your hip joints. A problem that if I could loose even 20lbs (trying, I know how hard it is) that’s 60lbs off my hip joints and there would be no hip issue if I lost that. That’s a very real issue for a lot of people, and well even your knees and other parts of your body it can really hurt you long term as you get up in age (much closer to 55 than 35 these days) and had I nipped that in the butt sooner I wouldn’t have the pains I have.

In the end, I still commend Shimano for highlighting those of us over weight who ride….that’s a good chunk of Americans these days. Nice to see them have real people too in marketing materials vs just the 5% body fat crowd.

Dirt McGirt

3 years ago

Reply to Mr Pink

With all those linguistic circles you went around in, it sounds like to need to continue to work on your viewpoint of your own body and big bodies in general. You can be healthy and heavy. A lot of what you said belongs in the dustbin of history. We can all exist in whatever body suits our life and do not deserve to be looked down upon for it. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

We can exist in this world without unsolicited faux concern over our health and happiness that’s rooted in a viewpoint of putting people in tiny little boxes to conform to some unattainable body standard. And rooted in antiquated science, as well.

I’ve been in this business for 29 years and have never fit all the way into any bike clothing and have topped out every bike weight limit on every bike I’ve ever been on. I’ve been fat shamed by customers, coworkers and a few bike shop owners. I’m tired of it. I’ve given most of my life to this activity and have been shown that I don’t belong the whole time. All the while giving my all to get more people on bikes at every turn and keeping those bikes going for everyone, regardless of body shape.

I’m tired of it and I’m by far not alone. Us fat folks are tired of the rhetoric and we’re not going to take it anymore.

Go ride yer bike and STFU about my body. It’s a tired scenario.

Lyford

3 years ago

Reply to craigmedred

Fat & active is far healthier than fat & sedentary.

As they say, part of the problem is finding bikes, gear, and clothes that work for fat people.

Another big part is the stigma: fat = lazy, gluttonous, etc.

They know their lives would be easier if they were smaller and lighter. They’re made aware of that every day.

Knowing you’re going to be slow, knowing that every hill is going to be a huge obstacle, knowing that folks will laugh at you, and going out riding anyway? That takes courage.

Robin

3 years ago

Reply to Lyford

^This.

Jeff

3 years ago

has anyone ever said that fat people can’t ride bikes? seems like fake outrage to me. good on them for riding though.

Robin

3 years ago

Reply to Jeff

Outrage? What outrage? Did you even watch the video?

David

3 years ago

This is awesome. All bodies on bikes!

Involuntary Soul

3 years ago

very few are fine with being morbidly obese, it is usually the opposite, they are very depressed about it, unfortunately their depression leads to comfort eating, it is a vicious cycle