DESPITE the health and environmental benefits of getting on a bike, in Melbourne, twice as many men ride bikes as women.
A new study by Monash University has uncovered both why this is the case, and how it can be reversed.
The study found that women experience extra barriers and concerns about riding a bike, on top of those also reported by men, including a fear of falling off their bike and into motor vehicle traffic, concerns about their personal safety in unsafe environments, and being made to feel inadequate as a cyclist.
This study highlighted that women needed protected bike lanes and paths to be able make more trips by bike.
Women reported concerns about falling from their bike and into incoming traffic, describing needing "space to fall", a requirement not met by narrow on-road painted lanes which make up the 93% of cycling infrastructure across Melbourne.
The study, surveyed over 700 Melburnians, and interviewed in depth a further 40, on what factors prevent, and what encourages people to ride a bike.
Learn more HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 Mar 23
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