The War on Cars

Women's Freedom to Ride

Jun 11, 2024

Explore the challenges faced by female cyclists in London, including verbal abuse and intimidation from drivers. Learn about the efforts of the London Cycling Campaign to make cycling safer and more accessible for women. Discover the benefits and empowerment of women's participation in cycling, alongside the ongoing push for improved infrastructure and societal perceptions.

26:28

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Quick takeaways

Many women cyclists in London experience verbal abuse and aggression from drivers, leading to a significant number giving up riding temporarily or permanently.

London Cycling Campaign's efforts focus on improving safety for women cyclists, including infrastructure developments and challenging societal perceptions.

Deep dives

Linda Young's Mission to Secure Bicycles: Pinhead's Unique Solution

Linda Young's dedication to creating a secure cycling experience after her front wheel theft led to the founding of Pinhead in 1997. Pinhead stands out by offering a bike lock system that secures all parts with one key, unlike traditional locks. Beyond physical products, Pinhead introduces a new tag box for bike tracking, emphasizing comprehensive bike security for riders across North America.

Intro

2min

Women's Experiences in Cycling

7min

Promoting Women's Cycling and Advocating for Safer Cycling Infrastructure in London

5min

Challenges Faced by Women Cyclists on the Road

7min

Empowerment and Challenges for Women Cyclists in London

6min

Why don’t more women ride bicycles in London? The advocacy group London Cycling Campaign wanted to know, and so they asked. What they discovered was disturbing: Among more than a thousand women surveyed, nine out of ten said they experienced verbal abuse and aggression while biking. Ninety-three percent said drivers had used vehicles to intimidate them. One in five said they had given up riding permanently or temporarily after they had been harassed. And when women reported incidents of aggression to the police? The cops almost never followed up.

We spoke with the London Cycling Campaign’s Kate Bartlett about what women face on the road and what advocates are doing to make cycling safer and more accessible for all.

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This episode was sponsored by Pinhead Locks and Cleverhood. Listen to the episode for the latest discount codes.

LINKS:

Check out the London Cycling Campaign’s initiative to get more women out and riding freely.

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The War on Cars

Women's Freedom to Ride

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Linda Young's Mission to Secure Bicycles: Pinhead's Unique Solution

Challenges Faced by Women Cyclists in London: London Cycling Campaign Study Insights

Advocating for Women's Cycling Rights and Safety: London Cycling Campaign's Efforts

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts