Exploring the Relationship Between Perceived Bikeability and Gender-Inclusive Micromobility Usage A Study Across 53 French Cities

In France, environmental beliefs and lifestyle choices vary by gender. Women generally show more eco-friendly preferences across various social and geographic groups. However, when it comes to mobility, they seem less likely to adopt sustainable practices like reducing car use or opting to cycle (Pech and Witkowski 2021, p. 26). This gender gap in cycling has been observed in a myriad of studies, especially in many Western countries (Handy and Xing 2011; Codina et al. 2022, pp. 9, 7), and sharply differs from the typically higher presence of women in walking and public transportation (Pollard and Wagnild 2017, p. 8). Alongside the gender gap in cycling, a variety of electric micromobility options have recently emerged, both personal and shared, which seem to perpetuate or even reinforce inequalities in usage at the expense of women (Laa and Leth 2020; Moinse et al. 2022, pp. 5, 19).

In the context of the existing scientific literature on gender and cycling, this article aims to investigate the relationships between cycling modal share, bicycle-friendly environments, and women's participation in cycling using an empirical and comparative approach. To achieve this, the framework adopted in this study centers on the concept of 'bikeability,' with a deliberate focus on understanding how cyclists perceive the bike-friendliness of their surroundings. The current study adopts the French context as its analytical framework to explore the interplay between the urban environment and gender-specific bicycle usage. In addition to the secondary analysis of databases, this empirical research relies on the implementation of a quantitative observation, situated at the intersection of qualitative ethnographic observation and on-site counting, designed to capture the demographic profiles of bike and micromobility users.

By revealing the existence of a gender gap in micromobility usage in France, this article unveils a statistically significant association among the modal share of cycling, perceived bikeability, and the proportion of female cyclists within the 53 French cities under examination. This positive correlation remains consistent for both traditional cycling and emerging micromobility options, such as e-scooters, as well as for both single-mode and intermodal journeys when integrated with train travel. This study underscores that achieving gender parity in cycling goes beyond mere considerations of 'safety in numbers' or the presence of cycling lanes from an urban planning perspective. Instead, the key driver lies in the perceived bike-friendliness experienced by cyclists. In other words, it primarily involves enhancing the 'bicycle system' (Héran 2015; Héran 2001, p. 169) through a multitude of urban factors. To conclude, this innovative article emphasizes the significance of promoting both objective and perceived bikeability as a pivotal tool in bridging the gender gap. Its ultimate goal is to foster the development of an urban planning approach, referring to an inclusive 'Micromobility-Oriented Development' (MOD). Female participation in cycling emerges as a noteworthy indicator of a bicycle-friendly culture and environment, with these elements mutually reinforcing each other (Garrard, Crawford, and Hakman 2006, p. 64).