Rape Crisis Network slams ‘misogynistic’ bike row app

Firm called out over ‘riding’ slang

- SEAN MURPHY

RAPE crisis experts said giving bikes female names and telling hire firm customers they are “riding Mary” is misogynistic and sexist.

The company involved has defended its move and compared it to the Irish Navy and Aer Lingus giving female names to boats and planes.

The controversy emerged when bike-share firm Moby Move Bikes relaunched an app customers use to hire its bicycles in Dublin city centre.

Users complained online the app had given female names to the pushbikes instead of identification numbers.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland told the Irish Mirror other businesses have used “misogynistic and sexist” terms in promotional stunts.

Its executive director Cliona Saidlear said: “Periodically, we have seen people try to generate notice by being misogynistic.