The City of Sydney’s internationally-backed transport study looked at the key drivers and barriers that are shaping women’s transport choices across Greater Sydney.
The extensive research was led by Sydney company Cred Consulting and was named winner of the Planning Disruptor Award at the 2020 Greater Sydney Planning Awards.
Produced by the City of Sydney and C40 Women4Climate, the report shed new light on why women aren’t walking and riding at the same rate as men.
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Nearly 900 women were surveyed online and in person across 3 key areas around Redfern, Liverpool and the Hills Shire. Researchers also interviewed experts from councils, state government, academics and community organisations to develop planning and policy ideas to make walking and cycling more women-friendly.
The City of Sydney is now using the report findings to work with the NSW Government, urban planners, and transport, health and sustainability professionals to examine policy and infrastructure opportunities.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need to get more people walking and riding more often across Greater Sydney.
“Before Covid-19, around 1 million people travelled to the city centre to work, study or visit every day. People are now returning to the city, but we must maintain physical distancing – so we need more people to walk or ride, freeing up space on public transport and roads for those who can’t,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our connected bike lane network has been invaluable during the coronavirus pandemic, given the renewed uptake in cycling. I’m pleased to be working with the state government to install pop-up cycleways to improve the network coverage even more through this difficult time. We’ve also seen increased interest in our confidence classes, which help get new riders on the road.
“By breaking down the perception, safety and access barriers that are stopping women from riding to work, to schools and local businesses, we will create connected active transport infrastructure for all people of all ages, abilities and confidence levels.”
More people are choosing to ride during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rider numbers in our local area are 20% higher than this time last year. The pop-up cycleways are seeing over 16,000 bike trips each week.
On announcing the award win, the Greater Sydney Commission panel noted the project’s alignment with the commission’s commitment to a more equitable Greater Sydney.
“A city is not a homogenous mass of human beings. As city makers and shapers, it’s important we use an intersectional lens to understand how people move around and engage with a city.
“Cred Consulting engaged with women of all ages from across Greater Sydney in this clever and broad piece of research, following them on their journeys across the city. Their work has culminated in clear and meaningful recommendations that should be considered and acted on,” the commission noted.
Helping to increase active transport will be crucial to the City of Sydney meeting its emissions reduction targets of 70% on 2006 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2040.
Read more on the research or download the full report.
Find out how the City of Sydney can support your cycling experience.
Published 3 November 2020, updated 4 November 2020
