Bicycle commuting is the embodiment of everything I love about cycling. It is environmentally responsible, provides good exercise, boosts your mood, is affordable, and reduces congestion.Unfortunately, there are far fewer female cyclists than there are men. There are many reasons for thisrisk tolerance, child-care, etc. Another reason is that women are often marginalized in the sport. It can be uncomfortable walking into a bike shop with a bunch of men salespeople, and a bunch of bikes marketed to men.For that reason, Ive created a list of my favorite city bikes for women, as well as a list of things to consider when choosing a bicycle for commuting. So that you can be empowered.These are bikes that Ive tested and reviewed or have been highly recommended by ladies in our community. A few of them are bikes that I use in my daily life for taking my son to school, picking up groceries, and running errands. Whether you are looking for a simple steed to ride to work, a family bike to haul the kids to daycare, or an electric bike to make it up big hills and travel long distances, youll find a good option for yourself here.Photo Credit: Civia BikesTable Of ContentsOur Top PicksWhat To Look For In A City BikeHow To Turn Any Bike Into A CommuterOur Top PicksWhat We LovePriceTRADITIONAL CITY BIKESPriority TuriBelt drive, low maintenance$949Tern NodeFolding bike, great for apartment dwellers / subway$1,299Co-Op Cycles CTYMechanical disc brakes, can use REI dividend$599ELECTRIC CITY BIKESVVolt Alpha IIStealthy e-bike, lightweight$1,699State Bicycle Co E-Bike CommuterSuper affordable, durable steel frame$1,499Blix AvenyPretty and feminine design$1,999Radpower RadCityLots of power, excellent customer service$1,699Priority TuriPrice: $949Buy at PriorityBicycles.comPros:Low maintenance designDisc brakesGreat for humid or rainy climatesCons:Heavy-ishQuill style headsetThe Priority Turi is a fantastic bike for anybody who doesnt want to have to deal with bike maintenance. Instead of a chain, the bike has a belt drive which means you never have to worry about lubing it. And in lieu of a derailleur, the Turi has an internally geared hub. Both these components do well in places a traditional drivetrain does not: in the rain and locations with humidity and salt.Speaking of rain, the bike has hydraulic disc brakes which work far better in the rain than old-school v-brakes, and fenders to help keep you dry. It comes with a mid-step frame. The top tube is downward sloping making it easy to get on and off the bike, but the slope isnt quite as extreme as a step-thru frame. The only drawback of the bike is its weight. While its far from the heaviest bike around, the internally geared hub, disc brakes, and fenders do add some heft. At over 30 pounds, its quite a bit heavier than its little sister, the Priority Classic, for instance. Tern Node Folding BikePrice: $1,299Buy at REI.comPros:Folding design Internally geared hubIntegrated lightsCons:V-brakesLooks a little dorkyIf you plan on using multi-modal transportation (think bike & bus or bike & train), a folding bike is the way to go. TheTern Nodefolds up so that it can be brought into your cubicle or in your luggage for your next business trip.It also works well for apartment dwellers who may not have outdoor bike parking and limited storage space inside. The bike comes with fenders and a rear rack which makes it ideal for commuters. The internally geared hub is low maintenance, and the integrated lights mean youll never be caught in the dark.The biggest drawback of the Node is that it has v-brakes rather than disc brakes (which means less stopping power). Also, because it doesnt look like a traditional bike, some folks might find it a little dorky. Co-Op Cycles CTY 1.1Price: $649Buy at REI.comPros:Folding design Internally geared hubIntegrated lightsCons:V-brakesLooks a little dorkyHave an REI dividend burning a hole in your pocket ? The REI brand Co-Op Cycles CTY might be the bike for you.It is simple, affordable, but not heavy and cheap like many entry-level bikes. The CTY features mechanical disc brakes which do a decent job of stopping in hilly and wet conditions (although dont work quite as well as the hydraulic disc brakes found on the Priority Turi, for example).It comes in sizes XS to XL, so whatever your height you should be able to find one to fit you. The smaller frames come in a step-thru version as well.Compared to the more expensive bikes on this list, the ride quality isnt quite as smooth nor is the durability as high. Still, if youre on a budget and just want to dip your toes into commuting, this is a good option.Blix Aveny SkylinePrice:$1,999Buy at BlixBike.comPros:Stylish and prettyCan add baskets both front and rearLighter than most electric bikesCons:NoisyRequires fine tuning out of the boxTheBlix Avenyis the perfect bike for riding to work or to the library. The rack on the back can carry your laptop bag or add some panniers to carry groceries. If you have a child, you can also add a Yepp Seat to the rear rack.Unlike most dorky looking e-bikes (yup, I said it), the Blix is sleek and stylish. Ive never felt more feminine riding around the hood. Out of the box, the bike did require some adjustments, so if youre not mechanically inclined, you might need a local bike shop to help. Also, this is one of the noisier e-bikes Ive ridden. It is a great introductory electric bicycle for anybody who doesnt want to spend a fortune, and who wants to look good out on the town. Read Review: Blix Aveny SkylineVVolt Alpha IIPrice: $1,699Buy at VVolt.comPros:Gates belt driveHydraulic disc brakesSleek and lightweightCons:Easy to get spun out on flat roadsDoesnt come with extrasThe VVolt Alpha is an amazing commuter bike. It has an electric assist, but its sleek and smooth and its hard to tell that its an e-bike.The bike is also easy to maintain thanks to the singlespeed drivetain and belt drive (rather than a chain). It has a step thru frame which makes riding with a skirt a bit easier.Finally, compared to most other e-bikes this one is significantly lighter. If you run out of battery, youll still manage to make it home. While I appreciate the singlespeed drivetrain for its simplicity, I did find that I was often under geared on flat roads. (The climbing gear was great though). Also, it lacks some of the extras that youll find on other e-commuters like fenders, rack, or a bell. Read Review: VVolt Alpha Step ThruRadPower RadCityPrice: $1,699Buy at RadPower.comPros:Lots of power, throttleGreat customer serviceExcellent climberCons:Suspension fork in unnecessaryBattery is super obviousWhen my sister moved to town, she knew she wanted an e-bike so should could join our family riding around town. She was also living with us initially and the big hill up our house is a major challenge. She asked for my help picking out an e-bike and we chose the Radpower Radcity Step-Thru. The bike offers affordability, excellent customer service, and powerful performance with a 750-watt motor. Its 7-speed gearing makes hills manageable, a crucial feature for my hilly commute. Despite its heavier weight and the addition of a somewhat unnecessary suspension fork, the pedal-assist and throttle make rides smooth and enjoyable.The bike includes integrated lights, a rear rack, and various cargo options, allowing for easy customization. The upright geometry and step-through frame make it comfortable for riding in skirts and easy mounting.Assembly was straightforward, and RadPower offers mobile service for assembly and repairs in certain areas. The bikes battery life is impressive, easily handling her daily 5-10 mile commutes without significant drain. Read Review: RadPower RadCityState Bicycle Co 6061 E-Bike CommuterPrice: $1,499Buy at StateBicycle.comPros:Super sleek, stealthy e-bikeDurable steel frameGood climberCons:High top tubeMechanical rather than hydraulic disc brakesThe State Bicycle Co 6061 E-Bike Commuter has a similar vibe to the VVolt Alpha II (listed above). It is unique though in that it has a steel frame which is durable and beautiful. Like the VVolt, the 6061 has a belt drive and single speed drivetrain. It also looks sleek, and its hard to tell that its an e-bike without closer inspection. Thanks to the reasonably light weight and lower gearing, the bike is a great climber. This makes it a good choice for cities with lots of hills. One drawback for many women is that it does not have a step-thru frame option, and the high top tube makes wearing a skirt difficult. It also has mechanical rather than hydraulic disc brakes. Id prefer hydraulic brakes for the additional stopping power particularly in wet weather. How to Choose a Commuter BikeThere area couple things to consider before pulling out the credit card. Here are some tips on how to choose the best commuter bike for you.TiresIn general, the best tires for a commuter bike have plenty of tread, are decently wide, but still roll quickly. Think a cross between a road bike and mountain bike tire. This ensures that they will perform well in a variety of conditions, wet weather, etc. It also gives you the flexibility to roll on gravel paths (like rail trails), which are often some of the best commuting routes.ExtrasLights, Fenders, Bells, Racks, etc.Commuter bikes are most useful when they are accessorized. A rear rack allows you to carry gear (like your laptop and a change of clothes for instance). Fenders help keep you dry on rainy days. Many commuter bikes come with these things, some do not. It is worth paying attention to what the bike comes with stock and how much it will cost to upgrade with any items you might need. If you dont mind a little DIY work, itcan be most cost effective to add all the extras after the fact. If you want a bike that can do it all on Day 1, look for a bike that comes with the full package.BrakesThe bikes on this list come with three different and distinct types of brakes rim brakes, mechanical disc brakes, and hydraulic disc brakes. V-brakes are the cheapest and the simplest to maintain, but do not stop as well, particularly in wet conditions. Mechanical disc brakes are the mid-price option. They perform better than rim brakes but not as well as hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes have the most stopping power, and provide the best modulation. They also have the highest price tag and require the most maintenance.Riding PositionGenerally, the best commuter bikes have a moderate riding positionnot too upright, not too aggressive. This makes for the best mix of power transfer to the pedals, comfort, and maneuverability. If you are biking long distances, and enjoy riding fast, you might consider a more leaned-over, aggressive riding position. Alternatively, if you are planning only biking short distances, a fully upright, beach cruiser might be your thing. For everybody else, pick something in the middle.Gears / DrivetrainsCommuter bikes come with several types of drivetrains and gear configurations. Some commuter bikes, are singlespeeds, meaning they have only one gear. This is nice for keeping maintenance to a minimum, but isnt recommended for folks who live in cities with hills. More commonly, you will see bikes with an external drivetrain. The bike might have anywhere from a few gears to 21+.Much better for hills, but be prepared to do some maintenance.Other less common builds are bikes with internally-geared hubs and belt drives. An internally geared hub is ideal for many commuters. Instead of an internal drivetrain (with front and rear derailleurs), the gearing is inside the hub of the gear wheel. This is particularly nice for folks who ride in a lot of inclement weatherit wont get bucked up with slush or grime. Similarly, a belt drive is nice for these types of riding conditions. A belt drive is a carbon-fiber belt that takes the place of a chain. It doesnt require lubrication or other maintenance and remains quite even in mud and rain.Frame StyleOne thing to decide before shopping for a commuter, is what style of frame you would like: a traditional frame or a step-thru frame. Step-thru frames are often good choices for women because they accommodate shorter riders and make it easier to ride with a skirt.WeightUnless you are buying a bike with an electronic assist, make sure you take the weight of the bike into consideration. The heavier a bike is, the less enjoyable it will be to ride, particularly for folks commuting long distances.Electric AssistElectric bikes, especially for urban riding, are becoming more and more common. And for good reason.An electric assist can help you ride further, faster, and with less energy. Personally, even though I love to ride a bike, Im often way more motivated to do a quick trip to the grocery store (or wherever) on my e-bike than I am on my regular bike.An electric bike does add cost and maintenance, so its not for everybody, but if you are considering giving up your car of cutting way back on the amount that you drive, an e-bike may be for you.Do You Actually Need A New Bike? Before buying one of these bikes, ask yourself if you actually need a new bike. The best commuter bike is quite possibly the bike you already have. The beauty of commuter bikes is that they dont have to be fancy.In fact, not fancy is often best.An old bike can be abused without remorseridden in snow and salt, and left outside. A not-so-fancy bike can also be locked outside without fear of theft, or if it does get stolen, the consequence isnt quite so high. For tips on upgradingthe bike laying around in your garage to make it a real commuter, read our article on how to turn any bike into a commuter.More Reading / ListeningArticle: The Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting (for Women)Article: 7 Womens Bike Helmets That Are Cute and StylishPodcast Episode: Biking For Transportation With Lisa Corriveau (aka Spokesmama)About The AuthorKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@femme_cyclist{ref:9524} />The post Best Womens Commuter Bikes And City Bikes appeared first on Femme Cyclist.