Ever heard of “coded patriarchy”? According to Danielle Kayembe, it “is the assumption of male as default and exclusion of female perspectives in nearly every domain. Put very simply, most structures, design, media, technology and products we interact with are designed with male as the default.” So much of the world around us is designed for men, it determines the size of our roads, gender roles, size of our smartphones, airbags, the plans of our cities, and the paths we walk on our way home. This trend has devastating consequences for public transit use and secure cycling infrastructure which effects climate change. Gender is an important factor that influences our day to day experiences within the world, as well as our vulnerability to, and ability to mitigate, climate impacts.
This month I want to focus on sustainability, climate change, and how we can take action. Some of you know that sustainable urban development is my educational background and during my research I always asked the question of why women were disproportionately impacted by climate change, poverty, and violence. I care deeply about these subjects as I personally believe tackling these issues requires women’s involvement. Climate change and gender inequality go hand in hand and we must recognize that women play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Climate change represents the most complex challenge of our time. With policies like The New Green Deal, we are all becoming increasingly more aware of the need to deal with the biggest threat of our lifetime. Today, transit accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from the biggest cities and traffic is the largest source of air pollution. To create sustainable, human and resilient cities, we need to increase the number of cyclists on our streets, which means closing the gender gap and getting more women on their bikes.
So what can we as a community do to get more women on bikes?
Demand Better Infrastructure
Research reveals that potential cyclists of all genders and identities are deterred by similar concerns: aggressive and speeding drivers, threat of large vehicles like trucks and buses, and bike theft. However, women mostly view protected bike lanes as a bigger need when it comes to participating in cycling.
According to research about women and cycling in San Francisco, cities should invest in protected cycle lanes with consistent and clear signage that function as a joined-up network to encourage female riders. Together with more secure cycle parking, these infrastructure investments would make cycling safer, supporting those who already cycle and encouraging those who do not yet ride.
Include More Women In Data Research
If you’re a student or organization looking to create solutions for safer and climate resilient communities, include women in your research. Research on the relationship between gender, transit, and environmental impact is lacking. Analyzing gender by comparing groups of women and men based on social factors that also predict climate footprint, such as income, educational background, transit choices, and geographic location will help in determining needs, design, incentives, and better data representation for solutions.
Demand Better Representation
Unfortunately, women’s importance in tackling climate change is not matched by our representation. Women are significantly under-represented in environmental decision-making in government, industry and the scientific community. To achieve climate action we need more women in leadership positions to sufficiently empower women in taking action in business, design, policy, and our own homes to mitigate the effects of climate change.
A case study done in San Francisco found that some women of color felt that “people like me” do not cycle, which suggested a need to target resources to media, programs, and communities to get more women on bikes.
Throughout last month, I shared why we need better representation in media and policy and how we can tackle the issue by creating spaces for women of color, lbgtq and non-binary people to get on bikes.
Demand Street Safety As Climate Priority
There are real reasons why women are reluctant to cycle, and the main one is the built environment of cities. In the majority of U.S cities, street design prioritizes cars over cyclists and pedestrians. Studies have shown that women tend to be more risk-averse and have different standards for safety on the road than men. Distracted drivers, honking, street lighting, and harassment are part of our perception of road safety and a true concern for our personal safety. It’s no wonder that women cyclists would prefer routes that are protected and separated from traffic.
Last Friday, a woman riding in SF was killed in a collision by a box truck on her morning commute. SF City Supervisor agreed that if protected bike infrastructure was extended, the crash would never have happened. Women largely agree that if cycling protection was developed, they would be more willing to cycle.
Vote With Our Voice and Money
A more gender inclusive approach of infrastructure of our cities, facilities, investments, and policies can help make cycling a more attractive climate action choice for all of us.
While “coded patriarchy” informs our daily lives, women’s organization, businesses, and grassroots activism are creating better representation and solutions for women, yet, these activities are undervalued and ignored by the patriarchal market which aims to drive climate solution with investments and private action rather than collective action.
As more women integrate into leadership, innovation, and boardrooms, we can help mobilize underrepresented communities to encourage and support participation in climate action, bike programs, investment, and policy decision making. Together, we can collectively change the narrative that climate action and cycling is for everyone, especially women.