Bridging the Chasm of Gender Cycling: Techniques for Equalization and Recovery

Bridging the Chasm of Gender Cycling: Techniques for Equalization and Recovery

In a lively rush hour whirlwind, a cyclist, adorned in cycling gear and skin-tight lycra, dances through traffic like a modern-day minotaur. They tuck behind trucks, weave past weary commuters, and race against the lights as if they're equipped with wings. Eventually, this tireless speed demon effortlessly parks their bicycle and strolls into the office, ready for a 9am start – all shimmering with the cool and casual poise of a morning breeze.

But differing greatly from our previous image, a woman's commute is hardly as neat and streamlined. Instead, she's constantly scanning for threats lurking among rush hour congestion – deciphering the beeping horns' language to ensure her family stays safe. With a delicate dance of balance, she navigates speeding vehicles and uncertain pedestrians, always in search of peaceful, uncharted backstreets. Upon arrival, she scrambles to fix her hair, clothes, and shoes, striving for a semblance of dignity after a sweaty journey. Finally seated at her desk, she breathes a sigh of relief, welcoming the commuting chapter's conclusion.

Shattered Expectations

Rolling your eyes at cycling clichés? I assure you, there's a deeper reality to this tale.

Research, after research, highlights that women consistently express greater concerns for road safety than men. They face persistent pressure to maintain their professional appearance, and they are more likely to make detours for grocery shopping or childcare. As a result, a sizable 'Gender Cycling Gap' persists across numerous cities, particularly in anglophone countries, where 'the cyclist' is more frequently a man than a woman.

Closing this gap demands addressing the underlying issues.

#Transformative Actions

A simple yet impactful way to begin bridging the gap is by establishing protected, continuous cycle tracks. This means constructing cycle routes that separate cyclists from both road users and pedestrians. These routes should be wide (at least 1.9m), well-connected, and carefully designed throughout the city. Research in cities like New York City (2015-2019), Philadelphia (2013), and Minneapolis (2013) demonstrates this significantly increases female cycling participation – with soaring increases seen in some cases.

Interestingly, Angela Azzolino, founder of 'Get Women Cycling', raises concerns that cycle tracks can actually become less safe due to the number of users squeezed into a compact lane and the lack of maintenance they occasionally receive. Beyond that, she argues, "The more local government separates modes of transport, it becomes increasingly difficult for the bicycle to be recognized as a true vehicle." To counteract this, the training of drivers to safely share the road with cyclists is equally crucial to enhance safety – something that Angela is teaching in New York City's driving schools.

Accompanying Actions

To complement safe cycling infrastructure, other strategies can be employed to encourage female participation and close the gap. For example, maintenance and training classes instructed by female instructors, high-profile women’s cycling competitions, and local support groups for women cyclists may serve as catalysts to spur more women to take the wheel.

An increase in bicycles designed specifically for women and female-led bike repair shops would also contribute to rebalancing the gender scales. Workplace cycling clubs for women and the conscious use of gender-neutral language, like "people who cycle" instead of "cyclists", have been advocated by the PedalLove project.

#Counterproductive Actions

Body-shaming should never be used to coerce women into cycling. Misguided campaigns use "weight loss" and "photo-shoots with high heels on" as promotional tactics. These tactics fail to address the primary concerns women have about road safety and reinforce restrictive societal norms regarding female physiques. Instead, policymakers and practitioners should focus on providing women with safe, inclusive cycling environments and opportunities to thrive.

In the past, the bicycle was a symbol of female liberation – a weapon against societal expectations and constraints.ituating the bicycle as an emblem of female emancipation demands tackling the obstacles that deter women from cycling. By implementing safe cycling policies, supporting female participation initiatives, and fostering an inclusive cycling culture, we can begin to address and heal the gender cycling divide.

1. Research indicates that women often express greater concerns for road safety compared to men, and they face additional pressures such as maintaining professional appearances and managing responsibilities like grocery shopping and childcare.
2. Constructing protected, continuous cycle tracks that separate cyclists from both road users and pedestrians can significantly increase female cycling participation, as demonstrated in cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.
3. Beyond safe cycling infrastructure, strategies like maintenance and training classes taught by female instructors, high-profile women’s cycling competitions, local support groups for women cyclists, and an increase in bicycles designed for women can also help encourage female participation and bridge the 'Gender Cycling Gap'.
4. It's important to counteract potential issues with cycle tracks, such as overcrowding and lack of maintenance, by ensuring the training of drivers to safely share the road with cyclists, as Angela Azzolino, founder of 'Get Women Cycling', advocates.
5. Policy makers and practitioners should avoid using body-shaming tactics or promoting cycling through irrelevant methods like "weight loss" campaigns or photo-shoots with high heels, as these approaches fail to address the primary concerns women have about road safety and reinforce restrictive societal norms. Instead, they should focus on providing safe, inclusive cycling environments and opportunities for women to thrive.

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