On International Women’s Day, we talk to a young woman working in a profession considered by many as a man's domain.
When she started her apprenticeship as a bike mechanic in 2019, Fiona Cluzeau knew she was entering a male-dominated world.
It still came as a surprise to her when on the first day of her theory classes at the Ecole Professionnelle (professional school) in Lausanne, Switzerland, she was the only female present among the combined introductory class of car mechanics, panel beaters, electrical mechanics and bike mechanics.
“But I was happy to be the only one amongst that crowd,” says the 23-year-old Swiss mechanic three-and-a-half years later, qualification in hand and working for Scott Sports SA in Givisiez, Switzerland.
“I grew up immersed in the world of cycling. My father cycled a lot and my two brothers and I competed when we were younger. It seemed quite natural to me to choose bike mechanics as a career because I always saw my brothers repairing their bikes themselves and I always wanted to do the same. I wanted to know my bike perfectly.”
For the three years of her apprenticeship, Fiona Cluzeau worked at the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland…. with an all-male team of mechanics.
“I was a little apprehensive when I arrived at the UCI WCC workshop, but I was immediately put at ease. My instructor Alex Roussel and my two colleagues were great throughout the three years and very respectful. I have very good memories and have a good bond with them.”
Working for Scott Sports SA since last September, she is again the only female in a team of between seven and eight mechanics. She appreciates the variety of work, which includes preparing bikes for different events, testing parts and prototype bikes, preparing samples for new product launches as well as repair and maintenance work.
“I like mechanics because it's a manual job. You have to be skilled, precise and meticulous. You also need to understand how different bikes work, especially nowadays with all the different kinds of e-bikes. I also like preparing a bike for someone. Usually the person is very happy and that’s a good feeling.”
Overcoming the prejudices
As for those who still hold onto the belief that mechanics should be men, Fiona Cluzeau takes it in her stride.
“It’s true that it can be a bit annoying. Sometimes I would prefer not to answer them and just show them that if they have a problem with their bike, I can deal with it. Generally people are surprised because it is true that female mechanics are not a common sight. But then they are quite interested and ask me questions.”
So does she think that women can bring something extra to the profession of mechanic?
“I think everyone can bring something new. Maybe women can have a new or different approach to mechanics. Maybe they take more care, or are more rigourous. They can overcome the prejudices and break different stereotypes linked to mechanics.”
But for the moment, the 23-year-old does not have time to worry about people’s attitudes. She is a mechanic, like any other, with a job to do: “Right now, my main goal is to focus on my job. I've just started at Scott, and am still learning about the different ranges of our bikes and how our company works.”
Photo: Fiona Cluzeau at the beginning of her apprenticeship at the UCI World Cycling Centre in 2019