Pedalling Towards Active Living (PETAL): A co-designed approach to promote bike riding in young women

Following identification of core groups with high interest in bike riding, but low participation, the Sustainable Mobility & Safety Research Group at Monash University will be piloting a program of co-designed interventions with a range of population groups to enhance participation in bicycling. In this project, we will specifically focus on increasing bicycling participation in young women, aged 18-29, a core group of ‘near-market’ bike riders. We will bring a group of young women (already recruited) to provide lived experience insight to the research team and assist in the design of an information session that will overcome barriers young women experience to riding, such as lack of confidence about bike purchase, repair and maintenance, road rules and services available. A research team involving leading researchers in active transport, co-design and urban design, Council representatives and bicycle advocacy group representatives will work with young women to develop an information session to be rolled out within Councils to promote cycling in young women. The methodology from this pilot project will be used to develop information sessions and promote cycling within other specific groups, including but not limited to mothers, international students, and older adults.