🚴♀️ Breaking down barriers: How do we encourage more women to cycle?
Yesterday, we brought together leading researchers and practitioners for a powerful discussion on the barriers preventing more women from cycling—and what we can do to change that.
Our latest Steer x Active Travel Academy: Research Talks webinar for International Women’s Day #AccelerateAction explored how gender disparities in cycling emerge from childhood and persist into adulthood.
Key insights from our speakers:
➡️ Teenage girls are 10 times less likely to cycle to school than boys.
Dr Robert Egan, Trinity College Dublin, shared how social norms shape cycling as a “boys’ activity,” creating long-term gender imbalances in transport choices.
➡️ Most cycling infrastructure ignores the needs of parents and caregivers.
Dr Dawn Rahman, Integrated Transport Planning, highlighted how barriers, poor connectivity, and a lack of safe cycleways make everyday trips difficult for those cycling with children.
➡️ Nearly a quarter of cycleways feel unsafe after dark.
Kate Bartlett, Active Travel Academy, revealed how social safety concerns—poor lighting, isolated routes, and lack of passive surveillance—stop many women from cycling.
What needs to change?
✔️ Safe, well-lit, and connected routes designed for real-life journeys.
✔️ Infrastructure that works for all cyclists, including cargo bikes and child trailers.
✔️ Confidence-building measures—affordable cycle training and tackling harassment.
✔️ Gender-inclusive planning as the default, not an afterthought.
📺 Missed the session? Watch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/ePEk_GXi
Next in the series: Clutter and compliance: Improving scooter parking interventions and perceptions, Thu 27 Mar, 18:00-18:45 (UTC).
Join Alia (Verloes) Eaton, Steer, and Nicholas J. Klein, Cornell University, as they share research-backed solutions to improve compliance and reduce street clutter. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ezUzVSuT
What is the biggest barrier stopping more women from cycling? Let us know in the comments.
#activetravel #cycling #genderequality #urbanmobility #wearesteer