Did you know that women make up only 25 per cent of users of micro-mobility, including bikesharing? Among tripy riders it can be as high as 27 per cent, but there is still a long way to go. Despite the many benefits of cycling, including improved physical health, reduced commuting time and money savings, women are still significantly underrepresented on two wheels. To close this gender gap in cycling, we need to understand why it still exists and take action to create safer and more inclusive environments for women to cycle.
Why do women cycle less?
Safety is a crucial factor in encouraging women to cycle more. Women perceive cycling as a risky activity due to the lack of specialised infrastructure and the presence of fast-moving traffic. A study by the European Commission found that 26 per cent more women than men identified traffic safety as a challenge for cycling. Women also tend to travel shorter distances and make more stops during their journey, making weather conditions, traffic safety and difficulties carrying food and bags additional concerns.
Making cycling safer by creating protected cycle lanes and roads
The Gender and Smart Mobility report emphasises that women are more risk averse than men when it comes to cycling, suggesting that the proportion of women cycling in a city is an important indicator of the safety of cycling. One way to improve safety is to create a network of protected cycle lanes. They create a sense of safety by providing a physical barrier between cars and bicycles. The presence of protected cycle lanes encourages cycling, especially by women. In New York City, for example, there was a 50 per cent increase in the number of women cyclists after the installation of protected bike lanes.
Investment in quality infrastructure
Investing in quality infrastructure to encourage cycling is of great importance for Turkey. Istanbul and Izmir, two of Turkey’s largest cities, are aiming to increase cycling rates. The success of Istanbul and Izmir can be attributed to investments not only in protected cycle lanes, but also in quality cycling infrastructure such as cycle bridges, cycle motorways, footpegs at intersections and parking facilities. In both cities, cycling infrastructure is designed to be safe, accessible and suitable for everyone. Investments in cycling infrastructure in cities contribute to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, helping to create more liveable urban environments.
