Women let down by lack of cycling networks

A lack of safe cycle paths is stopping women from riding, according to a new national survey by the Cycling Promotion Fund and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

More than 60% of women (or equivalent 5.2 million women) said they would like to cycle more often, with 50% identifying that having more separated cycle paths, bike lanes and wider lanes on the road would be the main reason that would encourage them to cycle more.

The survey of more than 1,000 women across Australia also found:

• The main safety concerns among women involved motor vehicles (car, bus and trucks) due to speed, volume and distracted drivers (66% or equivalent to 5.6 million women)

• 90% of women agreed that governments should improve cycling facilities by providing more bike paths and/or lanes

• 30% (2.55 million) women reported they had ridden a bike in the past six months. In comparison, whereas 90% had ridden a bike at least once every six months as a child.

Heart Foundation National Chief Executive Dr Lyn Roberts explained "cycling is clearly something that women want to do, but they're being let down by a lack of safe cycle routes.

"Women told us their main safety concerns involved traffic and cars, with speed and volume of cars and trucks, and distracted drivers, highlighting their desire for more separate off road cycling paths, more bike lanes, and wider lanes to stay safe.

"Without a concerted effort to get more women cycling by addressing infrastructure and safety, state, territory and federal governments will not achieve their national goal of doubling the rates of cycling by 2016."

Cycling Promotion Fund spokesperson, Stephen Hodge, said governments need to consider women when designing transport systems and the inclusion of safe, separated bike infrastructure will support women using active travel for transport and recreation.

Hodge added "the data showed that when women cycle for transport they ride for a variety of reasons including shopping, running errands and getting to and from work or study. With women's preferences in mind, we need to build bike networks that connect women to local destinations such as community activity centres and shops, as well as travelling to work."

The Federal Government last week announced that federally-funded urban transport infrastructure projects will be required to consider cycling and walking paths.

Hodge said this will mean that safe, active travel options are built into the design of roads, rather than as an after-thought or not at all.

The survey was launched at this week's 2013 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards in Canberra.

Click here to download the full Women and Cycling report.

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