Aggressive driver behaviour, speeding, poor cycling infrastructure and the increased size of vehicles are deterring women from getting on their bikes, research by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has found.
Most women in Ireland can cycle and have access to a bike, but are only half as likely as men to choose cycling as a mode of travel, according to the Empowering Women to Cycle report.
The research involved a survey of more than 1,000 women from urban, suburban and rural areas, as well workshops, interviews and “travel diaries”. The report is the first commissioned by the State transport agency that asked women why they do or don’t cycle and what would encourage them to cycle.
A perception that concern about appearance discouraged women from cycling was not borne out, the report said. “Only 15 per cent of our survey respondents considered this a deterrent factor. Of more importance were aspects such as road safety, infrastructure and personal safety concerns.”
Only 3 per cent of women surveyed had never cycled and almost 70 per cent considered themselves “confident” cyclists. However, women complete just 1.3 per cent of their trips by bicycle compared with 3 per cent of journeys taken by men.
