Our methodology

We surveyed using a Google Form which had a range of single choice and multiple choice questions with some free text fields. The focus was on the central and southern suburbs but we were fortunate to receive 432 responses from all over Brisbane. The majority of people who responded identified as women and most were regular or occasional bike riders. The results were downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet and graphs and charts were created directly from the results. AI was used to help to identify the key themes and locations where safety is an issue and key areas where improvements are needed.

Key findings

• Safety is the leading concern: Women consistently rank protected infrastructure and lower traffic stress as essential to riding more often.
• Network connectivity matters: Women are more likely to cycle when routes and intersections feel continuous, direct, and easy to navigate.
• Lighting matters: Riding frequency increases when women feel physically comfortable and safe – particularly on isolated bike or shared paths where good lighting is critical.
• Practical everyday cycling is a strong driver: Transport-focused riding is increasingly important alongside recreation, with women wanting to ride to everyday destinations but often can’t.
• There is strong latent demand: Many women say they would cycle more if conditions felt safer and more convenient.

Quotes

“I ride 30 minutes out of my way just so that I won’t die getting to work. Every time I’m unsafe due to poor walking and cycling infrastructure, I’m reminded how our city has failed women and girls like me.”

“I have been spat at, chased, sexually harassed, cut off, hit, by drivers. It sucks. I'm a safe rider, I use protected bike lanes wherever available, but it can be rough out there, and there's a lot of aggression especially when I need to claim the lane (e.g. ahead of making a right turn). I cop a lot more abuse than my male partner and housemate.”

Charts

Women want to cycle to shops, local businesses, friends and family, school/uni, events and entertainment precincts, and public transport stations:

Barriers to women's cycling:

More details on the way ...

We'll keep adding more details to this website over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!