THIS IS NOT A BIKE SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
Table of Contents
Mapping Activity How planning your route ahead of time could make you feel more at ease when cycling
Editors’ Note
Introduction
Perceived Risk
How safe do women feel cycling?
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page 6 Source: Bikesafety.caa.ca
Training and Education Programs What Do Women Want?
Editors:
Final thoughts and Works Cited
Zanna Brown Erika Richter Anqi Shen
What programs are out there for cyclists?
7 What makes a successful training program?
9 Conclusions
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Where you can List of go for safety Resources in Hamilton training and
Olivia Suppa
education
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
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Editors’ Note In recent years there’s been a lot of talk about how cycle safety could be improved for the public at large. But we should also ask: how can cycling safety campaigns on university campuses be inclusive of women to reduce or minimize perceived risk in cycling? Would any elements of these campaigns contribute to higher perceived risk? - aliquam.
Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
It’s largely incumbent on organizations within Ontario universities and colleges to promote bike safety awareness. There was a recent report made by the Ontario Office of the Coroner based on a cycling death review that covers 2006-2010, but the recommendations made were that safety education be incorporated into the public school
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
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Editors’ Note Cont’d curriculum. The report recommended that a targeted public awareness campaign be made in the spring/summer months with key messages about cycling safety. There are a number of organizations in Hamilton that attempt to raise public awareness of cycling safety. Cyclemania, for example, provides training for children aged 7-10 during the summer. The CAN-bike program offers courses for various levels of expertise and courses specifically for women. The courses are offered by the City’s Recreation Division and by a separate program being held on campus at McMaster. Hamilton Womyn’s Bike
Collective, in collaboration with OPIRG, seeks to add another dimension of cycling safety— building safer spaces in which women and transgendered bikers feel comfortable accessing the cycling community.
bike safety awareness is being communicated and how it might affect how safe women feel when cycling around campus.
In evaluating several bike safety posters used on campuses such as Boston University, we found that women are underrepresented in the images. Moreover, many of the messages concerning safety instill a heightened sense of danger rather than providing solutions. We’ve striven to make this newsletter as visually appealing and inclusive as possible. It’s important to think about how Source: http://bikeathens.blogspot.ca/
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
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VIDEO:
Voices of McMaster Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnR 1Mak8AVw
“When I cycle in the city I don’t feel as comfortable…because there are more aggressive drivers.”
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Perceived Risk How safe do women feel when cycling? There are far fewer female cyclists than male cyclists. One study found that in Canada women make 30% of all bike trips. Moreover, women most frequently cite safety concerns as the reason why they do not cycle. In a study done at Ohio State University 43% of women cited safety as a reason that kept them from cycling, whereas only 27.7%
Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
of men cited this same reason (1). Some of you may be becoming increasingly more concerned by this newsletter’s focus on women’s cycling safety. You may be questioning whether you should be more concerned about your safety while cycling than other demographics, particularly men.
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
We are here to ease your concerns. This newsletter should not heighten your fears about bicycling, but instead will hopefully make you feel more comfortable about cycling and will empower women throughout Hamilton to cycle. In one study that was controlled based on distance travelled, it was found that women might actually be at a lower risk while cycling than men, particularly for more serious injuries (2). Despite this, studies have repeatedly found that women are much more nervous or fearful of cycling. For instance, a UK study found that 72% of non-cycling women cited cycling in traffic as frightening (3). In a US survey, women reported lower bicycling comfort and greater concerns about bicycling safety (4). In order to account for the difference between women’s heightened fear and less accidents, researchers have identified that women have a greater perceived risk when it comes to cycling. Women’s perception of the risk of cycling is much greater than the actual risk involved in
the activity. There is a perception that riding a bicycle entails a high risk of physical harm because of the speed of cars and congestion vehicles cause (5).
Source: towerhamletswomencycling.com
So how can we make women feel safer on bikes, in order to get more women cycling and also help those who already cycle feel more comfortable? Familiarity and control bias are two ways of reducing perceived risk. Familiarity bias involves getting more comfortable on a bike and control involves external factors such as infrastructure that can help you feel like the control or power is not all in the hands of drivers (6). We wanted to put the power back into your hands, rather than rely on bricks and mortar to make you feel comfortable. We are interested in how training programs can help women feel safer, be safer and get on their bikes! Read on to learn more about the types of programs that are offered and what you should look for in a training program.
Source: Down the pike blog
TAKE A QUIZ 1). What is the second most common reason cited for why women cycle less? 2). True or False: Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have equal or higher rates of female cyclists than males. 3). True or False: A UK study on cycling accident fatalities from 2005-07 found women were 1.7 more likely to be killed than men in a cycling accident. See page 12 for answers! Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
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Mapping Activity
We asked a group of 50 students: Where in Hamilton do you feel the most safe? Unsafe? Safe Zones: Westdale, McMaster Campus, Ainslie Wood North, Ainslie Wood West Caution Zones: Cootes Paradise, Main and Emerson, Main Street, Downtown Hamilton If you’re worried about cycling safety, it may be useful to plan your route ahead of time, keeping in mind which areas are more accessible and which areas require caution. Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
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Education and Training Programs What’s out there for cyclists?
Already, we’ve established that women have a heightened perceived risk pertaining to cycling safety. Practically, there are a few ways to combat these false ideas. One is through infrastructure and a second is through training and education programs. Rather than pushing for changes in infrastructure to make women feel safer on bikes, we think it is important that you learn to ride confidently within current infrastructure even when it is less than ideal. Studies have shown that one of the best ways to increase confidence in cyclists is through training and education programs. We hope this section can further your understanding on what these programs consist of and how you might find one that fits your interests. Typically, cycling training and education program content can be grouped into three categories: on-bike riding skills, traffic knowledge and on-road Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
skills, and equipment knowledge and maintenance (9). Firstly, onbike riding skills include everything from preliminary skills like balancing, pedaling, stopping and turning to changing gears, riding with one hand and nightriding (9). The second category, traffic knowledge and on-road skills, covers topics such as route planning, traffic laws, signs and signals, proper behavior at intersections and tips on sharing the road (9). The third and final section, equipment knowledge and maintenance includes tips on picking a bike that fits, how to adjust, maintain and repair bike parts and other equipment required or recommended in cycling (for instance, helmets, gloves and lights) (9). Overall, there is huge variation between cycling training and education programs. Target audiences vary significantly from one program to the next (8). For instance, there are programs aimed at teaching young children, teenagers, motorists, adult cyclists, 7
Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
(Cont’d) What’s out there for cyclists? non-cyclists, and cyclists with plenty of experience (8). Finally, program length varies from one hour to forty hours depending on the type and amount of content (7). Many adult programs are open for both men and women but lately, women-only cycling programs have been on the rise. Some women-only programs are virtually the same as the general adult programs, the only difference being the all-female participants. Other women-only programs provide cyclists with opportunities to participate in group rides that stop at bike fashion stores and wine or foodtasting destinations.
In order to see improvement, coordinators and implementers have begun evaluating the effectiveness of their womenonly programs and are becoming more aware of what women want. We hope that this newsletter can aid you in becoming more familiar with training and education programs in general and the various programs that are available so you can make an informed decision about which would be the best fit for you!
ASK YOURSELF: What would you like to see in a training and education program for women cyclists?
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
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What Do Women Want? What makes a successful training and safety program? Alright, so we know that bicycle training programs exist and we’ve gotten a taste of what they generally consist of, but how effective are they? If I do want to join a program, how do I choose one? First, let’s look at the demonstrated success of bicycle training programs. This task can be trickier than you might imagine, as there is limited information on the success rates of various cycling training and education programs. Moreover, there is even less information about the efficacy of programs which are specifically designed for women only. Even though there is limited information on the success rates of women-only cycle training and education programs, since these programs have been growing across North America, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of women on bikes (10). Studies comparing people who have participated in a
cycling training or education program with individuals who have not done so show predictable results. People who partake in bicycling programs tend to perform more consistently in basic cycling skills and demonstrate much more confidence on a bike (10). Building up these skills and confidence are highly important to safely and enjoyably maneuvering on a bike, especially for women who may feel less comfortable cycling through heavy traffic or multilane roads. As well, cycling training programs help demonstrate how fun, accessible, and enjoyable cycling can be, and program participants often gain a lot of enthusiasm about cycling, especially if their program includes on-bike training. A recent study from Australia analyzed the efficacy of 7 different cycling programs for women. The women who participated in this study said
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
What makes a successful training and safety program? that they consider successful cycling programs to be those that address women’s motivations for cycling, such as improving self-confidence, leisure, socializing, and commuting to work (12). This is not an exhaustive list, and it’s important to note that women may choose to cycle for a whole host of reasons, and a good cycling program will be able to tailor training and education to a wide variety of needs. As well, study participants stated that a good cycling program offers appropriate support for women and helps them to overcome personal and socio-environmental constraints to cycling (e.g., not having a lot of money to spend on a bicycle or learning to safely cycle with a child attached to the bike) (12). What you look for in a bicycle program should also be dependent on your cycling skill and comfort level. Some programs are tailored to beginner cyclists, whereas others provide more advanced training and education. Novice cyclists tend to view successful bike programs as those that have a hands-on
training component, as well as role modeling of safe cycling technique by experienced cyclists (12). As well, novice female bicyclists stand to benefit from learning the rules of the road, theoretical information, and links to female-friendly bike shops and cycling groups (11). A good balance for a beginner’s cycling program has been shown to be about 40% theory, 60% practice (12). More experienced female cyclists often want to learn about specialized skills like group riding, bike maintenance, and training for difficult bike rides (12). Other key components may include information on bike equipment, and access to coaching for continued improvement in riding and cycling groups that ride at a similar pace (11). No matter your comfort and skill level on a bicycle, there is a cycling training program for you! While an excellent cycling program is not the only factor in promoting your health and wellbeing while on a bicycle, it is definitely a worthwhile and effective step you can take to making your cycling experience safer and more enjoyable.
Zanna Brown, Erika Richter, Anqi Shen, Olivia Suppa
Source: longbeachcyclists.com
Challenge: Take a couple minutes to write down the things that you are not comfortable with when it comes to cycling, and the areas where you would like to advance your skill.
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
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Final Thoughts There is a general trend that women seem to feel less safe when cycling, which makes sense because in numerous studies women have been observed to be more risk averse than males in many different contexts. In addressing this issue of women and the perception that cycling poses a greater safety risk than it really does, there is no single answer or tool that can be used to make women feel more comfortable and encourage them to bike. We have focused here on the potential for training and education because they are
effective in helping women to improve their skills and feel more confident while cycling. What women want in order to make them feel safer cycling is quite wide ranging; there is no single answer to the question of “What do women want?!” However, there are trends in the way that women perceive cycling safety which differ from the perceptions of men, and consequently programs have been developed just for women, which are effective because they help educate and empower women on bikes in a supportive environment.
Source: Trekbikes.com
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Works Cited
(1) Akar, Gulsah, Nicholas Fisher, and Mi Namgung. "Bicycling Choice and Gender Case Study: The Ohio State University." International Journal of Sustainable Transportation 7 (2013): 347-365. Taylor and Francis Journals. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. p.354. (2) Knowles, J, S Adams, R Cuerden, T Savill, S Reid, and M Tight. "Collisions involving cyclists on Britain's roads: establishing the causes." Transport Research Laboratory (2009): 1-51. Worthing Revolutions. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. p.15. (3) Garrard, Jan, Susan Handy, and Jennifer Dill. "Women and Cycling." City Cycling. Eds. John R. Pucher, Ralph Buehler Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. 211-234. Print. p.222. (4) Edmond, Catherine, Wei Tang, and Susan Handy. "Explaining Gender Difference in Bicycling Behaviour." Transportation Research Record 2125 (2009): 16-25. Transportation Research Board. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. p.14. (5) Akar, Gulsah, Nicholas Fisher, and Mi Namgung. "Bicycling Choice and Gender Case Study: The Ohio State University." International Journal of Sustainable Transportation 7 (2013): 347-365. Taylor and Francis Journals. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. p.348. (6)Garrard, Jan, Susan Handy, and Jennifer Dill. "Women and Cycling." City Cycling. Eds. John R. Pucher, Ralph Buehler Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. 211-234. Print. p.225. (7) Rivara, F.P. & Metrik, J. “Training Programs for Bicycle Safety”. Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Harbourview Injury Prevention and Research Centre, 3 Sept. 1998. Web. 5 March, 2013. (8) The European Network for Cycling Expertise. “Education and Training”. Velo.Info. n.d. Web. 5 March, 2013. (9) Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Centre. “Resource Database Guide”. Bicyclinginfo.org. n.d. Web. 5 March, 2013. (10) MacDonald, Mott. “Cycle Training Evaluation Research.” Let's Travel Wise, April 2009. Web. 5 March, 2013. (11) Australia Womensport & Recreation Association. Cycling and loving it! Encouraging women to cycle. Web. 16 March, 2013. (12) Garrard, Jan & Natalie Hakman. Healthy Revolutions: Promoting Cycling for Women. 2005. Web. 14 March, 2013.
Quiz Answers: 1) Household responsibilities was the second most common barrier identified. Research has found that women tend to make more household trips involving the transport of goods or passengers. In Portland, Oregon they have a “Shopping Bike Class” to learn how to carry groceries by bicycle (4). 2) True (4). 3) False. The study found that from 2005-07 85% of cycling fatalities were males while 15% were females. When the study accounted
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
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List of Resources in Hamilton
Hamilton Women's Bike Collective: http://hamiltonwomynsbikecrew.tumblr.com
Cycling Freedom for Women (CAN-BIKE) http://www.canbike.net/cca_pages/cb_cfw.htm
Hamilton Cycling Club http://hamiltoncycling.com
New Hope Community Bikes http://www.newhopebikecoop.ca
Hamilton Cycling Committee http://www.cyclehamilton.ca/default.htm
Some Resources for Kids-CycleMania http://www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca/HPS/TrafficSafety/safecycling.htm
Some Bike Routes in Hamilton http://www.cyclehamilton.ca/eightroutes.pdf
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Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Issue 1 | March 25, 2013
Newsletter for Women’s Bike Safety
Source: guardian.co.uk
© 2013
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