Have you ever changed your journey because you’ve felt unsafe?

Across the summer, researchers from the University’s School of Social Sciences joined forces with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to build one of the most detailed pictures to date of women’s experiences of the region’s transport system.

Their survey asks women about their experiences as drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users, with the aim to identify practical ways to improve safety, confidence, and inclusion.

Professor Rosemary Broad, Head of Department for Criminology, and Dr Caroline Miles, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, are leading the research, which is being delivered on behalf of the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership Board. They are particularly interested in understanding barriers that may influence women’s travel choices, which will inform ideas and provide evidence to support future changes.

“Women use roads and transport networks every day, but their experiences are not always fully reflected in the evidence that informs road safety policy and planning,” said Dr Miles. “We know that concerns about safety can influence how, when and whether people travel, yet there has been relatively little research exploring these issues from women’s perspectives.”

“By listening to their experiences, we can build a clearer understanding of the challenges women face and identify where improvements could make the greatest difference.”

The key findings of the survey will be presented to the Greater Manchester Safer Roads Partnership Board later this year.

• Learn more and participate in the survey.