Promoting transportation cycling for women: The role of bicycle infrastructure

More evidence why we need better seperated cycle lane provision

Promoting transportation cycling for women: The role of bicycle infrastructure

• Jan Garrard^a, , , 
• Geoffrey Rose^b, 
• Sing Kai Lo^c

Preventive Medicine

Volume 46, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 55–59

Promoting transportation cycling for women: The role of bicycle infrastructure: Objective.
Females are substantially less likely than males to cycle for transport in countries with low bicycle transport mode share. We investigated whether female commuter cyclists were more likely to use bicycle routes that provide separation from motor vehicle traffic.

Methods.
Census of cyclists observed at 15 locations (including off-road bicycle paths, on-road lanes and roads with no bicycle facilities) within a 7.4�km radius of the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Australia, during peak commuting times in February 2004.

Results.
6589 cyclists were observed, comprising 5229 males (79.4%) and 1360 females (20.6%). After adjustment for distance of the bicycle facility from the CBD, females showed a preference for using off-road paths rather than roads with no bicycle facilities (odds ratio [OR]�=�1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.83), or roads with on-road bicycle lanes (OR�=�1.34, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.75).

Conclusions.
Consistent with gender differences in risk aversion, female commuter cyclists preferred to use routes with maximum separation from motorized traffic. Improved cycling infrastructure in the form of bicycle paths and lanes that provide a high degree of separation from motor traffic is likely to be important for increasing transportation cycling amongst under-represented population groups such as women.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Volume 45, Issue 6, July 2011, Pages 451–475

Bicycling renaissance in North America? An update and re-appraisal of cycling trends and policies

• John Pucher^a, , , , 
• Ralph Buehler^b, 1, , , 
• Mark Seinen^a, 

Bicycling renaissance in North America? An update and re-appraisal of cycling trends and policies: bstract
This paper reviews trends in cycling levels, safety, and policies in Canada and the USA over the past two decades. We analyze aggregate data for the two countries as well as city-specific case study data for nine large cities (Chicago, Minneapolis, Montr�al, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington). Cycling levels have increased in both the USA and Canada, while cyclist fatalities have fallen. There is much spatial variation and socioeconomic inequality in cycling rates. The bike share of work commuters is more than twice as high in Canada as in the USA, and is higher in the western parts of both countries. Cycling is concentrated in central cities, especially near universities and in gentrified neighborhoods near the city center. Almost all the growth in cycling in the USA has been among men between 25–64�years old, while cycling rates have remained steady among women and fallen sharply for children. Cycling rates have risen much faster in the nine case study cities than in their countries as a whole, at least doubling in all the cities since 1990. They have implemented a wide range of infrastructure and programs to promote cycling and increase cycling safety: expanded and improved bike lanes and paths, traffic calming, parking, bike-transit integration, bike sharing, training programs, and promotional events. We describe the specific accomplishments of the nine case study cities, focusing on each city’s innovations and lessons for other cities trying to increase cycling. Portland’s comprehensive package of cycling policies has succeeded in raising cycling levels 6-fold and provides an example that other North American cities can follow.



 Highlights

► Since 2000 cycling has increased and safety has improved in both the USA and Canada.

 ► There is much spatial variation and socioeconomic inequality in cycling rates.

► Cycling rates are more than twice as high in Canada as in the USA.

 ► Cities have greatly expanded their bike infrastructure and programs since 1990.

► Portland is a model of integrated, comprehensive cycling policies in North America.