Why fewer women than men cycle in the US

[rebeccaC]

The Dutch have been bicycle oriented since the turn of the last century. Bicycling was just an everyday natural thing for me to do growing up in France. I think Davis Ca. started it’s infrastructure in the 60’s and Portland in the 70’s. I find it a little disingenuous to try and make a comparison between the Dutch and the U.S.

Paid family paternity leave, flex hours and higher wages, including the minimum wage, are something a lot of people have in this state. Currently my state puts more of a value on a progressive approach to families than a lot of the states though, probably most states. In my mind well thought out urban design and its funding are probably the most important elements missing in the U.S. to get both more women and men seeing the benefits of more physical activity and the environmental and monetary benefits. Until we get more politicians spending that urban design with bicycle infrastructure money little will change, especially for most cities in conservative states.

eta "Even when women earn more, are better educated, and work more hours than their male partners, they still make 1.5 times as many child-serving trips and 1.4 times as many grocery trips. These findings reflect the fact that in most US families women still shoulder the responsibility for caring for the household".....so more women should be gay for bicycling reasons!!!!!