International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET) Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2020, pp. 807-815, Article ID: IJARET_11_06_072 Available online athttp://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=6 ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499 DOI: 10.34218/IJARET.11.6.2020.072

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AN APPROACH TOWARDS EMPOWERING WOMEN TO COMMUTE THROUGH BICYCLE: OVER A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE

Kiruthika Selvi K.J Reva University, , Karnataka, [email protected]

ABSTRACT The physical inactivity among women is a major behavioural risk factor that increases the rate of obesity and related health problems. This paper provides an overview of the health benefits increasing physical activity of young women cycling and breaches the significant barriers; the paper explores the challenges associated with women and promoting cycling as a travel mode to a workspace being an affordable and zero carbon mode of transit. This paper is to understand the benefits of an affordable and sustainable , minimizing the environmental impacts and also encourage increased productivity at workspace through cycling. Thus, promoting women revolutionize self-esteem and being able to locomote independently of your own energy. The research objective was to study the social, physical and psychological factors involved in bicycle to work, to encourage a healthy lifestyle and to prioritize bicycling over a motorist and other transportation. This paper concludes strategies that can be implemented by the employers for encouraging women bicycling and to improve potential physical and mental health. Key words: Bicycling, Women Health, workspace, employee well being. Cite this Article: Kiruthika Selvi K.J, An Approach towards Empowering Women to Commute through Bicycle: Over A Sedentary Lifestyle, International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 11(6), 2020, pp. 807-815. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=6

1. INTRODUCTION Cycling as transport, cycling as a sport, cycling for mental and physical wellbeing. The bicycle being a primitive and most favourite affordable mode of transport, As per census data, 2011 Bicycles is the second most popular mode of transport in India with 13% of people cycle to work every day. 15% of countries’ population has to commute more than 10kms every day as women can cover convenient travel distance of 7-8kms an affordable mode of transport. It is believed that a large amount of household expenditure is spent on transport and ownership of motorized vehicles were as household bicycle Ownership in India has declined in Indian

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJARET 807 [email protected] Kiruthika Selvi K.J cities (2001) 45%- (2011) 42% Source TERI Analysis. Driving, a mode of quick travel has been the refusal of non-motorized transport and other physical inactivity that increases the rate of obesity and related health problems. In the late 1800s women had no physiological changes in their dress code or attire cycling as catalyst in switching from long apparel to split/bifurcated garments creating access to women liberation and social change. In India there are 44 million working women population out of these, 30% walk to work 39% travel less than 5 km commute by public transportation mostly, In India, only men in family own rights to use the transport were the women and school going girls largely depend on public transport and lacks the facility towards independent travel and society think bicycling for middle aged women are unfeminine. Using public transport 88% women feel unsafe and 315 cases of “insult to modesty of women” (under section 509 of the ) in public transport reported in 2015, increases to 160% in 2014. By 2017, 436 more cases were reported. UITP (Union Internationale des Transports Publics) is the International Association of Public Transport. Thus cycling is the history of women empowerment bicycle helped women freewheeling to equality, motivating women cyclist by providing facilities and to create awareness globally spreading environmental benefits increasing the numbers of women commute to work through a bicycle preparing the noncyclist women mentally and physically and develop their skills and physical ability to ride a bicycle.

2. BACKGROUND STUDY 2.1. Women Obesity and Health Problems Obesity in women is an alarming threat which is a result of a negative impact on their sedentary lifestyle. the second largest population; middle-aged women living in urban areas are more likely to be obese due to the sedentary life style and junk food habits lead to abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Consumption of high calorie food without any physical activity increases weight gain. In 2014 It was found that there are two million obese women in the country. According to (National Family Heath Survey 3) the ratio of abdominal obesity was three times high among females urban are more obese than rural women obesity in women aged 15-49 increased from 11% NHFS2 to 15% and NHFS3 to 24.52%. This paper explores the quantitative analysis of promoting Indian women to commute through bicycles.

2.2. Physical Inactivity Reports

Female

15% 25% 16-19

20-29 20% 30-39

40-49

40%

Figure 1 Physical activity level declines with age

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A sedentary lifestyle and being physically inactive develop musculoskeletal pain on the neck and shoulder. There are around 392 million physically inactive individuals in India. Urban cities have greater inactive members than in rural areas female rates are higher compared to male physical inactivity 71.2% inactive in urban were 59.6% with rural women[5] Internationally (BMI > 25 kg/m2) it is obese in Indian the body index mass is considered as (BMI > 23 kg/m2) Percentage of state wise ranking of physically inactive women Punjab being the highest 37.5% of women followed by , & 24.4% fourth in the Order.

3. FACTORS INVOLVED IN COMMUTE BY BICYCLE The social challenges of women cyclist with gender inequalities personal factors like lack of confidence due to physical appearance, dress code at work during meetings, nature of work, cost, convenience, age, distance as biking to work takes too long also, There will be a tentative difference in the speed of cyclist noncyclist and also with particular age and travel distance. This also includes external factors like safety, social barriers that influence the negative impact of a bicycle. Unattractive Street conditions road infrastructure in poor condition, Worries about road safety in traffic. Women cyclist are less in urban scenario negotiating motorist and driving through traffic women experiences risk of assault/Harassment by motorist deliberately driving close, aggressive sound horn causing fear and use of abusive language, threat of road injury as most women preferred off-road and internal streets than pedaling direct route. Environmental impacts such as rain and extreme weather conditions/Climate, pollution inhaling fumes and dust and also Involves the workplace facilitates that women commuter through bicycle needs.

4. BENEFITS OF COMMUTE THROUGH BICYCLE Commuting while heavy traffic condition in cities bicycle is the best mode of transport for short trips saves waiting time during rush hours in major cities we’ll get there in half time of others on an average speed of 12-15mph while the motorized average speed will be 7mph and it is a great way to meet new people benefit by socializing encourages a sense of similar purpose spending quality time with all ages and ability forming local clubs and teams.

4.1. Health Benefits of Women Cycling Women involve themselves in physical activity are healthier which reduces the risk of mortality rates. Commuting through a cycle of a single trip and gradually increasing the distance will help the cardiorespiratory performances and it reduces the stress level by 40%. Considering the significant public health, bicycling is the most economical way to improve cardio-vascular fitness and lose weight. It also benefits the mental wellbeing, body stamina and tones muscles reduce the development of arthritis. Cycling helps in enhancing the blood return from lower body thus controls diabetes, fights against cancer and also improves the (HDL) good cholesterol. According to Global WHO report to preventing Indian Diabetes, obesity and other cardio vascular diseases a 30min brisk and aggressive cycling five days per week is recommended.

4.2. Environment & Economic Benefits Being the second largest producer, India’s bicycle industries play a major role in the development of MSME sector. It has also increasing percentage in ownership of the motorized vehicle; two wheelers have a significant role in consuming fossil fuels of 70%-90%

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJARET 809 [email protected] Kiruthika Selvi K.J as petrol and diesel which leads to 8-10% of carbon emission. With a large population, developing cities have increased congested, high traffic motorized transport and the cost of travel becomes expensive thus adopting a viable mode of commuting can benefit the built environment. The energy consumed in India by public transport is 3-4 times, motorized transport 5-10 times higher when compared to cycling, according to [TERI survey] The bicycle owing households has declined in urban areas compared to rural. Bicycle transport is viable in congested cities as it zero dependence on energy sources, economic & environment. Urban poor walk to work facilitating them with subsidies. Bicycles can efficiently use the limited road space in urban condition and saves parking space wherein five bicycles can be parked in one car space.

40% 35% 30%

25% Urban 20% Rural 15% 10% 5% 0% t r r c le i o a l te c o C b o f y

u o n ic c p

S B O

Figure 2 Work Trip mode in Urban India (2016) Promoting cycling an intangible benefit to the environment (Cycle to work alliance, 2011) UK launched in 1999, attracted over one million workers till 2018 resulted in a decreased Annual emission of 0.13 million tons of C02.

5. METHODS This study of south Indian women responded through online survey (100), current scenario of participants were more likely interested in commute by bicycle with the travel pattern relatively short distance to commute.

Figure 3 Overall framework

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The primary objectives are to encourage a healthy lifestyle and to promote a non- motorized mode of transport. To motivate and create awareness amongst the working women for frequent cycling and to encourage low cost mode of transport. Gender

Figure 4 Methodology of the study Participants: Women participants of 100 samples were studied from age category of 16- 50+years including the commuting survey of students working and nonworking women as most of them are noncyclist who never cycled after their childhood. The respondent perceived difficulty in distance, dress code, environmental factors and infrastructure majorly.

Table 1 Age group

Out of the 100-survey demography responded (table 1)half of the sample population age group 20-29 yrs 58% of majorly of young women and 26% of 30-39 middle aged women contributed to study the outline response of commuting and helped to identify women’s perspective. Table 2 Physical Inactivity

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Women participants (table 2) it was identified that 39% of women do not involve themselves in any exercise or physical activity. Mild activities like brisk walking are significant after the age of 35-44 years.19% of the respondent had cycled frequently or leisure time activity.

Table 3 Mode of Transport

Table 3. Shows that majority of the Women traveling in public transport due to the economic viability and are victimized by harassment and nuisance. 46% of the respondent depends on public transport, 18% economically weaker women commute by walk or 7% dependent on transport, ownership of two-wheeler is 24% it can feasibly work out as 50% cyclist can be environmentally conscious in the increases number of motorist. Somehow Female cyclists are negatively correlated with traveling long distance are discouraged socially. Table 4 Travel distance

Table 4. Shows that 35% of them travel within 0-5kms and 18%of them from 5-8kms Percentage distributions for selected demographic groups 57% are 8kms distance. Cyclist distance up to 10kms is possible if the leisure time cycling is converted to frequent cycling.

Table 5 Commute through Pedaling-

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From table 5. 62% of the participants wanted to adopt cycling as a mode of transport 28% of them likes to commute through cycling, it also influences the psychological like confidence, comfort, convenience, social barriers and physical factors in the decision to cycle.

Table 6 Workplace facilities satisfactory

Table 6. Shows that through the promotion of workforce health facilitating the cyclist and initiatives like motivational recreational tours team outing by cycling offered by the employers’ can increases the scale of respondent commutes to 72 percent.

Table 7 Safe Road infrastructure-

Table 7. Shows that out of 100 respondents more than 53% believe that infrastructure is unsafe for a cyclist, initiatives can be taken to enhance and develop the bicycle friendly design.

6. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Cycling as physical activity imparts positive and significant changes in women health. It enhances the environment and livability of the neighbourhood from the survey data women responded that they may cycle to work if the average distance is 5-8kms or more; the number of noncyclists will tend to occasionally cycle and join the other women enthusiastically. The society has to make efforts taking concern and accepting women pedaling. Wide Scale adoption of bicycling in India can save over Rupee 1.8 lakh crore annually which is equivalent to 16% of India’s GDP. Further development of the cities should enforce bicycle planning in future road development. The finding shows that there is a larger response on women cycling to work has the positive aspects of personal well-being, stamina and physical appearance. The impact of Economic benefits such as parking space in public avenues, efficient mode of transport, than improving streets for the leisure activity a fully extended productive benefits to enjoy cycling to work opportunities.

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According to the survey made in by PHD Chamber of commerce and industry 59% of women absenteeism from work due to health issues. Employees who are physically active take fewer days’ sick leave compared to other colleagues and increased productivity at works they energized and happy during their commute Initiating Bicycle infrastructure development like cycle plan- safe rides for everyone, everywhere a projected 23% of potential increases in city is estimated and implementing cycling strategies as many countries like Netherlands, Germany, Denmark UK and USA. Cycling based promotional activities like “Cycle to Work Day” and “cycle to work schemes”. Cycling is healthy independence for women in India as it is faster and reliable, fun to pedal it becomes a cheaper mode of commute. Travel routes can be explored making it flexible and convenient. This paper concludes that women bicycling could be key empowerment in prioritizing wellness at a physical, emotional and intellectual level of preparedness.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would merely like thanking the women respondent, Ar. Sriviji Nachimuthu and other women colleagues for their time and efforts. Also like to thank REVA University for giving me a chance to explore my passion.

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