Mobility is not just an act of moving from one place to another; it is a reflection of the gender dynamics in Barcelona that shape the daily lives of its inhabitants. Municipal statistics reveal a series of commuting patterns that integrate mobility and gender.
In this context, women stand out as the undisputed leaders of sustainable mobility, transforming the city in a positive way.
From preferring public transport to promoting walking, women are making their mark in Barcelona.
The Enquesta de Mobilitat en Dia Feiner, carried out since 2004, provides a detailed overview of commuting by gender in Barcelona.
Thus, in the 2023 results, women lead in trips for activities such as visiting the doctor, socializing with friends or family, shopping and caring for others. In contrast, men travel more for leisure and business.
Mobility and gender in Barcelona: women at the forefront of sustainable mobility
A close look at the data collected by the City Council reveals a clear pattern: women lead in the adoption of sustainable modes of transportation. In terms of daily commuting, 45.5% of women choose to walk, significantly more than the 39.8% of men who opt for this mode.
This preference for walking is also reflected in the use of public transportation, where 39.5% of women board buses, streetcars or the subway, compared to 28.5% of men.
Gender differences in the use of private vehicles
Where gender differences become more evident is in the use of private vehicles. While 29% of men regularly commute in their own vehicle, this percentage drops significantly to 13% for women.
This change, largely driven by women, has led to a decrease in the overall percentage of private circulation to below 20%.
Bicycles and scooters: the contested terrain
In the quest for sustainable mobility, Barcelona has expanded its network of bicycle lanes. However, the growth of electric bicycles and electric scooters has not taken off as expected.
This phenomenon may be due to the fact that Barcelona is a city of short distances, where the effectiveness of the metro and the rationality in the design of bus routes play a crucial role.
But when urbanism is approached from a feminist perspective, street safety becomes a central issue. Daily mobility reveals that 5.7% of male trips are already made by bicycle or personal mobility vehicles (PMV), while for women this figure is only 2%.
Lack of confidence, resulting from the feeling of insecurity, limits the growth of these means of transportation.
