Advertisement
For the 4th year Kidical Mass brings you a Glow Ride.As the nights get longer, colder and darker women are more likely to stop cycling than their male peers. Disconnected cycling infrastructure often uses unlit, isolated routes that are more threatening for women in dark.
The rides are fun, because who doesn't want to cover their bike in lights and bring joy to a winter night! but have a really important message.
In a recent study by LCC, we couldn't find a more local one :( they found that
• 9 out of 10 women said they have experienced abuse and aggression while cycling
• The most common form of verbal abuse was ‘Get off the road’, especially when women were cycling in the primary position (in the middle of the traffic lane).
• 93% said drivers had used their vehicles to intimidate them, including deliberate close passes, tailgating, and even hitting women with their vehicles on purpose.
Cycle infrastructure
• 90% said they would start to cycle, or cycle more, with better infrastructure for their journeys (like protected bike lanes or low-traffic routes).
• 1 in 3 women stop cycling after dark or in winter due to a lack of safe, well-lit routes.
• Over half of the respondents said they have to choose between a route on a busy road with no safe space for cycling or a route through quiet, dark places where they feel at risk.
Local journeys
• 86% of women said that half or more of all their journeys, in any form of transport, are local (up to 3 miles from home).
Cycling should be year round, and the council should
Provide safe, high-quality cycle routes across Reading, where women feel safe and confident to cycle, including with children.
Suppoort more local cycle networks, such as low-traffic neighbourhoods and safe routes to schools, prioritising them alongside routes into the town centre.
Advertisement
Event venue
Reading Bike Hub, 10 Gun Street, Reading, RG1 2JR, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.