Balance on the Bike; towards more gender

equality in cycling

Angela van der Kloof

Facts & figures

Santiago, 2007 : 11% of cyclists are womenQuito, 2009 : 23% of cyclists are womenUS, 2000 : 9 - 32% of cyclists are

womenBrussels, 2010 : 30% of cyclists are womenOttawa, 2010 : 28% of cycling trips are

made by women

Statement, 2005 : “The UK’s Department for Transport statistics show that there are roughly twice as many men who cycle than women.”

Facts & figures

Why women cycle less than men

• Fashionable cycling is an issue, but other factors need more attention

• Different needs of women and men in transport and mobility (e.g. in Lima 2000)

Why women cycle less than men

Why women cycle less than men

• Personal Safety• Women’s place• Women and mobility• Urban planning• Poverty has a woman’s face

Why making cycling more interesting for women?

• General advantages of cycling being environmentally friendly and less space consuming;

• Health aspects;• Cycling is a way to actively participate in society

- to occupy public space;• Breaking with stereotypes;• Save money;• A clear need for cities that include all genders

and ages.

Bikeschools for women• Aprende a Pedalear, Quito, Ecuador• Escuela Bici Mujer, Santiago, Chile• Bicycle Partnership Program, Delhi, India• Stap op de Fiets, Tilburg, Netherlands• GearUp! Cycling for Equality, Minneapolis, USA• Cycling for Women, London, UK

• BIKE SCHOOLS ARE NOT A GOAL IN ITSELF; cycling is a means to get to places and to reach other goals. Other issues can be added: safety in the streets, design that suits women, joined cycle rides.

• THE CHALLENGE IS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE BIKE SCHOOLS!

Other examples and ideas• Cycling groups and rides for women (various places)• Bicyle Bank, India• Kanga project, Tanzania

• Micro credit program for bicycles• Community bike shops• More women in urban design and transportation

planning

• Which other ideas and examples can you add?• What can you do for more gender equality in

cycling?• What do you need to do this?• How can we cooperate?• What will you do for more gender equality in

cycling?

Angela van der Kloofwww.mobycon.nl

http://balanceonthebike.blogspot.com/