By Cara Waters
Young women are avoiding riding bikes because of concerns about being hit by cars, lack of bike paths, aggressive drivers and sexual harassment.
Research by Monash University published on Friday found women aged 18-29 are four times less likely to cycle than men of the same age.
Sophie Miller is back on her bike for the first time since she was a kid. Credit: Joe Armao
The study of 640 women found 92 per cent were interested in riding a bike but felt uncomfortable doing so because Victoria’s cycle paths were set up for the needs and safety perceptions of confident and physically fit men.
Of those surveyed, 70 per cent were concerned about being hit by a car, 70 per cent did not want to ride on the road, 68 per cent were worried about aggressive drivers and 22 per cent reported concerns about sexual harassment as barrier to cycling.
Mamil LaneCredit: Matt Golding
Women spoke of a “double jeopardy” when it came to their safety: quieter streets meant less danger from cars, but more risk of attack or sexual harassment.
While quiet streets and bike paths decreased their concern for injury through collision, the lack of quality lighting and natural surveillance from people and cars made them fear for their personal security.
Women also spoke of catcalling and feeling visible and vulnerable when cycling, which was particularly concerning in warmer months and when stopped at traffic lights.
“When you ride up to the lights and they go red, you end up at the front with all of these people protected in cars behind you and you are just out there, you know,” one respondent said. “It’s like you feel like an audience is watching you.”
Monash University’s Dr Lauren Pearson said the women surveyed were concerned about sexual harassment when cycling, but some said cycling made them feel safer.
“They said there were benefits compared to walking or using public transport as they didn’t have to stand at a bus station by themselves in the dark and, compared to walking, they had a vehicle which would help them get away,” she said.
Sophie Miller says she does not feel safe riding alone at night. Credit: Joe Armao
Pearson said a lack of high-quality cycle paths and limited connectivity between them was a barrier to the wider population riding a bike but particularly deterred young women.
“Our bike corridors are very popular and can be very intimidating to people just starting out,” she said. “The concern wasn’t so much that other bike riders were aggressive, they were more concerned that they were fast and not having the ability to navigate what are quite often very narrow bike paths.”
The research was funded by Merri-bek, Port Phillip and Stonnington councils, which have partnered with Monash to help get more young women into cycling.
“Young women are a very willing and able cohort of potential bike riders,” Pearson said. “They are not being considered in our planning and delivery of infrastructure. The programs to encourage bike riding are very much designed with that typical male lycra-clad commuter in mind.”
Sophie Miller, 29, took up cycling again three months ago after her housemate bought a new bike.
“Prior to that, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid,” she said. “I was worried about how busy the road would be and what people’s temperament would be like. Until I started riding, I did not realise that there were quite a lot of bike paths in Melbourne.”
However, Miller said Melbourne’s bike paths and bike shops were very male-dominated, which could be a deterrent to women cycling.
“Once I started riding I found new fears, that other people riding on the bike paths were kind of scary,” she said. “That freaked me out as I didn’t feel safe riding alone at night.”
Miller said she would like to see more education or training for young women to help them ride bikes.
“Or more bike paths would be even better,” she said.
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