A new report has highlighted the extent and toxicity of abuse experienced by women cycling in London.
The report from the London Cycling Campaign's (LCC) Women's Network, What Stops Women Cycling in London, is based on a survey of over 1,000 women who cycle in London.
It was launched alongside a video aimed at illustrating the gendered abuse women in London face while out cycling.
Findings from the report:
- 93% of women surveyed said drivers had used motor vehicles to intimidate them, with 77% saying they experienced this at least once a month.
- Nine out of 10 said they had experienced abuse from other road users while cycling; 63% said it was at least once a month.
- The abuse was often verbal but included sexual harassment, physical threats, and physical and sexual assaults, such as groping or slapping women on their bikes while stopped at traffic lights.
- Most common verbal abuse was a variant of 'Get off the road!' Over a fifth of women said they'd given up cycling, temporarily or permanently, as a result of these experiences.
- Nine out of 10 said they would start to cycle or cycle more if they had safer cycle routes, for instance with protected cycle tracks, for their journeys.
- Over half of women said they are forced to choose between cycling on busy roads without any safe space or through isolated, quiet or dark places for their journeys.
For more on this story visit Transport Network.
