Over a third of women have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual offences while commuting by train or tube, according to a survey commissioned by British Transport Police (BTP) in 2023. At the same time, safety concerns permeate women’s, girl’s and non-binary people’s day-to day movements, from planning alternative routes home, to adjusting outdoor exercise routines during the winter to accommodate a perceived curfew.

 

From mild inconvenience to extreme danger, women, girls, and gender diverse people experience the network of public transport, roads, parks, and cycle lanes that connect London differently to men, particularly at night.

 

On International Women's Day, we brought together industry experts to reflect on the experience of women and gender diverse people navigating London. As our industry seeks to advocate for sustainable active travel, public transport, and the use of electric vehicles, and extoll the benefits of outdoor sport and proximity to nature, how are women’s safety concerns factoring into design and planning decisions? How can our built environment industry work more strategically to ensure this approach is joined up across London?

 

This webinar brought together a panel of industry leaders to share learning from campaigns and case studies that aim to improve women’s experience of moving around our city.