More cycle routes in Norfolk towns needed to get more girls cycling- says UEA expert
The proportion of respondents to this survey who think cycling safety in their local area is good was 65% for girls and 70% for boys
More cycle routes in towns across Norfolk and beyond need to rolled out to get more girls cycling on a regular basis- according to physical education expert at a University in Norfolk.
Just 8% of young women take their bike out regularly compared to 17% of young men- according to a poll of over a thousand children in the UK.
"If we are careful the gender gap will continue to increase"
Dr Kate Russell is from the University of East Anglia:
She says there's a clear model the UK should follow and ultimately adopt:
"The infrastructure is so well managed and far more women cycle in the Netherlands than they do in the UK.
"There's something there about the deliberate design of road spaces for cycling to happen much more effectively and in great harmony with other traffic.
"If we are careful the gender gap will continue to increase being those who are physically active and not.
"Boys and men are currently far more active than women and girls and if this continues there could be serious health implications to come"
The research in more detail:
The proportion of respondents who think cycling safety in their local area is good was 65% for girls and 70% for boys.
Sustrans- who commissioned this work- said the "worrying gender gap" means fewer girls are likely to either start or continue cycling as they grow up.
This will deprive them of benefits such as "improved health, economic and education opportunities, and access to nature", according to the charity.
A report by Sustrans featured an interview with a teenage girl from Swansea, in south-west Wales, named Lily, who said she used to cycle around her neighbourhood but "grew out of it".
She added: "I think many girls my age don't really tend to cycle or use bikes.
"I think this is because our clothes don't really allow us, especially if we're wearing skirts, and it seems a lot of the equipment for cycling is made for men instead of women.
"It's not really seen as cool and we can be quite self-conscious about that."
Another girl, Anita, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, said she cycles "quite a lot" but feels "a bit scared cycling home from school" as she is "blinded by car lights".
She added: "When I am older, I don't know if I will cycle because I don't see many older girls on bikes.
"Fourteen or 15-year-old girls go on the bus, or their parents drive them."
The survey suggested 51% of children want to cycle more and 78% are in favour of more cycle paths along roads separated from cars.
Sustrans director of urbanism and UK programmes Rachel Toms said: "Children want to cycle and expect our leaders to tackle the barriers stopping them.
"We're asking local and national policymakers to act on children's enthusiasm for cycling by making sure they invest in more traffic-free and quiet cycle paths so that more children feel safe to get on their bike and get all the lifestyle and health benefits cycling offers."
Katie Begley, head of trading for cycling at retailer Halfords, which sponsored the report, said there is a "worrying decline in children's cycling" which is driven by factors such as "safety concerns, insufficient infrastructure, and limited access to cycling opportunities".
More than three out of four (76%) respondents to the poll said they would support stopping cars parking on pavements while 66% said they back prohibiting cars from using roads outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
What's the Government said on this?
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Everyone should be able to travel how they choose, which is why this Government more than doubled funding for active travel for the coming year.
"Earlier this month we announced nearly £300 million to build 300 miles of cycle tracks and footways, helping people to make healthy journeys and reduce pressure on the NHS.
"Local authorities are responsible for designing cycle paths and we work closely with Active Travel England (ATE) to support them in making sure people of all ages can feel confident and safe cycling.
"ATE recently published guidance for councils to help transform the school run and is funding projects which have led to nearly one million children receiving cycle training."