Curbing our Fears
I like to peruse data, and when I get really ramped up about what it says, I like to share it. Take our VCU Health Cap2Cap registrations, for example. As is the case every year, we're currently showing a lopsided ridership: 62% men and 38% women. While our 38% of females likely celebrate this ratio, I continue to stew over it. I want to balance this out, and here's why.
Our numbers are consistent with national trends. The Alliance for Biking and Walking just released their 2016 report which indicates women, while making a strong showing in the pedestrian world, continue to lag in the cycling world.
Thanks to the feeling of safety we get from a sidewalk, women have confidently used them for years (and now RULE the category.Yesssssssss.). But tell us to hop on a bike, and look what happens.
Why does a perfectly active gender make up less than one quarter of all biking trips? Largely, fear. Even though the percentage of roadway fatalities is lower for bicyclists (1.7%) than for pedestrians (11.2%), the perceived danger in riding a bike on the road is much higher than walking on a sidewalk. Perceived is the operative term here. One little design element, the curb, makes sidewalks popular places to walk because a curb makes people feel safe. But is a curb going to stop a car? Who even thinks of that when walking on a sidewalk?
In other words, a separation, whether it includes a curb, a different surface or a solid barrier can minimize the element of fear for bicyclists too. It's not too much of a leap to think that separated places to ride will do for biking what the sidewalk did for walking: Invite more women to join. And why is that a good thing? Because when communities encourage everyone of all fear levels to ride a bike, they will realize all the economic and quality-of-life benefits that bike and pedestrian friendly places around the world enjoy.
Let's celebrate as we watch this particular piece of data even out as the Virginia Capital Trail creates brave new women riders.
See ya'll out there!
Beth Weisbrod
Executive Director,
VCTF
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#Cap2Cap2016 #Shift4Health
2016 Updates:
- The VCU Health Cap2Cap will feature the popular Trongone Band at the post-ride festival! These guys have been selling out venues all over the east coast. Invite your non-riding friends to join us for a beer and some tunes.
- Two tents! One for eating and sharing stories from your ride, and the other for the awesome party.
- Charles City Venue map, parking plan and routes will be posted soon. It's all coming together beautifully!
Have you ordered your jersey?
Riding a bike not your thing? Join us as a volunteer! We'll give you a cool T-shirt, lunch if you work the noontime shift, and 2400 people will thank you for making the VCU Health Cap2Cap their best day ever.
Thank you to all our generous sponsors!
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Canada, Come On Down!
| We spent a fun day showing Canadian journalist, Dan Dakin, the Virginia Capital Trail. Now the secret is out up there, thanks to his article in Canadian Cycling Magazine.
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Dan getting a shot of Ronnie's Brisket
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Cul's Cycling Bash!
| Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2 at Cul's Courthouse Grille, from 1:00 pm -- "The party never stops" (Bonnie). There will be live music, vendors, and more. According to Cullen, "This is a kick-off bash for the season. The trail has granted us such wonderful opportunities for which we are grateful."
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The Garrett family started a recent trail adventure at Shiplock Park, then had a picnic at the Mitch Palmer rain shelter at Four Mile Creek Park before turning for home. A perfect Sunday ride!
