Abstract:
In recent years, cycling mobility has attracted increasing interest from researchers.
However, most available data on bicycling has focused on transport planning and policy
development to address urban-related issues related. Only some studies have sought to
understand rural cyclists' daily mobility decisions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is
an innovative tool that addresses spatial differences, even from a gender perspective. The
study, therefore, assesses the impact of men's and women's cycling decisions in rural
communities of low-income countries. The study targeted bike taxi customers and owners.
Fifty participants of different gender, social background and occupation were recruited and
handed a GPS device to collect their travel tracks in Nyamata and Mayange, Bugesera,
Rwanda. Tracks collected contained road network data, distance (Origin-Destination),
Elevation and Speed. Additional information was obtained through a survey, Focus Group
Discussions and mapping of participants' daily activities. Limited gender inequality
between male and female cyclists confirms that travelling speed has no impact on cycling
decisions, reinforcing the notion that cultural norms and the lack of bicycle education,
among many others, are the main barriers to more female cycling in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Creating policies that encourage bicycle education at the school level, and teaching the
value of cycling use for health and the environment, will help destigmatize cycling and
remove cultural norms and restrictions.
