A local survey of cycle lane users has found that only a quarter of cyclists who use them are female.
The Gender Pedal Gap Taskforce in Milton Keynes examined the use and quality of infrastructure across the city’s Redways network of active travel routes. They found that 23 percent of cyclists observed on the network were women, and that many women who were surveyed expressed concern over collisions and stranger danger.
In response, the council’s active travel programme manager, Hayley Roche, told the BBC, “sometimes people might be worried about surveillance in underpasses, so there’s work we can do in terms of maintenance to make them feel a little bit safer.
“If we could get more people out on the Redways, they would feel safer as well – it’s safety in numbers.”
The findings were shared at a summit organised by local campaigners Cycling Citizens MK at the Open University. Co-chair Ann Shrimpton welcomed the meeting as a chance to gain “firm commitments” from local politicians towards improving the network “both in terms of investment but also in terms of how we plan and design to take into account the needs of all users – particularly women.”
The summit in Milton Keynes occurred on the same day Cycling UK submitted an open letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to deliver support making cycling safer for women.
The campaign, supported by backbench Labour MPs and delivered by hand to Downing Street, coincides with the return of organised ‘glow rides’ in several UK towns and cities.
“Women make around half as many trips by bike as men and are more likely to be put off by busy traffic or harassment”, the letter says. “This can prevent women of all ages from cycling to work, taking children to school, visiting friends or simply getting where they need to go.
“As Mayor of Greater Manchester, you made bold changes to give people more ways to travel and create a fairer transport system. We urge you to bring that same ambition to the whole country, sending the message that we need better cycle routes for women. Enabling more women to cycle would provide an affordable and healthy way to travel, help reduce congestion and make communities better places to live.”
The participation gap between men and women cycling has long been documented. A Cycling UK report published last March found that 90 percent of women feel afraid cycling in towns and cities. It also found that the gender barrier to cycling has widened since 2017, primarily due to a lack of segregated cycle lanes.
A separate report from the WalkWheelCycling Trust (formerly known as Sustrans) found that the gender participation gap also has roots in childhood.
Cycling UK responded to their report last year by launching a campaign titled “My ride. Our right.” The ‘glow rides’ aim to encourage women to take part in a group ride wearing bright lights and “shining a light” on the lack of lit cycle paths that are more likely to discourage women from cycling than men. More than 80 rides will take place on Thursday.
