Women and Cycling: A Case Study of the Use of San Francisco Bike Lanes

This paper presents a case study of the use of San Francisco bike lanes with a focus on women. Bike counts and intercept surveys of cyclists at three locations in San Francisco’s SoMa District were complemented by focus groups with cyclists, particularly women cyclists, and brief interviews with non-cyclists. Consistent with other US studies, we find that white men are disproportionately represented among the cyclists we observed, and that women bike less and bike shorter distances. However, at least in the SoMa sample, women are more likely to bike to work than men. Cyclists included people of all income groups and ages in the sample ranged from 18 to 75. Women who cycle cite the freedom it gives them to travel on their own schedule and the exercise benefits it delivers as major reasons for cycling. Both men and women noted cost savings. Women feel more secure on a bicycle than on transit or walking, but fear of injuries from a bike collision or fall and concerns about bike theft are deterrents to cycling for women. While women cyclists have been able to handle dress and grooming considerations, non-cyclists see these considerations as barriers. Under-representation of women, Asians and Hispanics reflects cultural and social factors and is not just a matter of travel conditions. Women from these groups commented that “people like me” don’t cycle. Overcoming gender and ethnic/racial biases will require investment in partnerships with the communities of concern to complement investments in protected bike lanes and secure parking.