{"id":692,"date":"2010-09-23T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-09-23T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/2010\/09\/23\/want-more-people-to-bike-feminize-cycling\/"},"modified":"2013-01-05T19:57:39","modified_gmt":"2013-01-05T19:57:39","slug":"want-more-people-to-bike-feminize-cycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/2010\/09\/23\/want-more-people-to-bike-feminize-cycling\/","title":{"rendered":"Want more people to bike? Feminize cycling!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m a woman and I make all sorts of trips by bike, including my work commute, but I’m in the minority in this country.\u00a0 An October 2009 article by Linda Baker<\/a> in Scientific American Magazine<\/b> states that if you want to increase the level of bicycle transportation trips in the US then we need to get more women on bikes. <\/p>\n

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In the US, men’s cycling trips surpass women’s by at least 2:1.\u00a0 This ratio stands in marked contrast to cycling in European countries, where urban biking is a way of life and draws about as many women as men–sometimes more.\u00a0 In the Netherlands, where 27 percent of all trips are made by bike, 55 percent of all riders are women.\u00a0 In Germany 12 percent percent of all trips are on bikes, 49 percent of which are made by women.<\/i><\/div>\n

\ufeff\ufeff\ufeff\ufeffSo why don’t American women bike more often?\u00a0 Are we worried about the dreaded helmet hair?\u00a0 Not really.\u00a0 Are we trying to avoid sweating?\u00a0 Nah.\u00a0 Are we concerned about safety? BINGO. <\/p>\n

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Earlier this year, the\u00a0Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals (APBP)<\/a><\/strong> conducted an online survey about women and their attitudes and concerns about biking. Over 13,000 women responded to the survey, and the preliminary data<\/a><\/strong> confirms that women are concerned about their safety while biking on our city streets.\u00a0 Respondents expressed concern about distracted driving (78%), speeding vehicles (69%), and vehicles turning right in front of them (61%).\u00a0 Participants also wanted more bike lanes (69%) and more off road pathways (52%).<\/p>\n

If we truly want to increase the number of Americans who bicycle, then it’s time to get women on bikes..\u00a0 We need to listen to what\u00a0women say keeps them from biking\u00a0and address those issues.<\/p>\n

New York City has made a significant investment in bike infrastructure, installing 200 miles of bike lanes\u00a0over the past three years.\u00a0 Now they are working to increase the number of women\u00a0who bike for transportation.\u00a0 The Streetfilms video Women in Motion: New Lady Riders Reflect on NYC<\/em><\/strong> Cycling interviews women new to cycling and explores what motivated them to try bicycling.<\/div>\n