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Strengthening guidance to help make walking, wheeling and cycling routes safer for women and girls is one of the features in a consultation which begins today.
The Active Travel Act Guidance is being revised to further improve the quality of walking, wheeling and cycling schemes across Wales. The aim is that they are accessible and designed to be suitable for all to use.
The updated guidance considers safety, comfort, and visibility for women and girls in public spaces, including lighting, toilets & changing facilities, seating and surveillance.
It also considers whether designs should have increased separation and priority for people walking, wheeling or cycling, taking into account concerns for more vulnerable people.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “I want to see transport easier to use by everyone, and that includes walking, wheeling and cycling. It’s important the views and needs of all of us are taken into account, so everyone has the opportunity to make the most of the schemes available.
“As part of the consultation we’ll be particularly interested to hear the views of disabled people, women and young people.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Every woman should feel safe to run, walk, or simply exist in public spaces without fear of harassment. It’s not up to women to change their behaviour or limit their lives – it’s up to men to reflect on and address their own behaviours, and that is the focus of our Sound campaign.
“As we approach White Ribbon Day it’s fitting that we focus how we can make things safer for women and girls, recognising that routes which work for them work for everybody.”
Olivia Browne of Sunday Run Club Cardiff said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe walking, cycling or running outdoors at any time of the day or night.
“But too frequently women and girls feel afraid to use public spaces as a direct result of their lived experience, for which they are often blamed. This limits their freedoms and choices as citizens.
“More can be done to ensure travel routes feel accessible for women.”
https://www.gov.wales/active-travel-act-guidance-atag
