Women on Wheels is a multifaceted pilot project in the city of Surakarta to promote cycling as a way to empower women and girls to fully and equally participate in socio-economic attainment while promoting the values of sustainable and liveable cities.

Following the initial phases of the Women on Wheels Project in Indonesia – Feasibility Study, Toolbox Development and Program Design – Kota Kita has implemented a pilot project in Solo city. This pilot, completed in August 2018, consists of a multi-faceted set of actions with the primary purpose to promote cycling for girls and women in Solo. The pilot works with four key population groups and institutions from the city to facilitate and share skills to advocate and promote a pro-cycling agenda. Activities also include educating and raising awareness about the benefits of an alternative mode of transportation — convenience, health, and environmental advantages. Kota Kita developed the activities based on context-based research and interactions with several stakeholders and population groups conducted in previous phases. 

As with many other Indonesian cities, Solo is experiencing a rapidly increasing motorized urbanization, mainly through increased motorcycle ownership and ridership. Consequently, the city is experiencing increasing air pollution levels, road congestions, and a higher rate of traffic accidents. Furthermore, the role of non-motorized transportation such as cycling in Solo has been largely neglected. Increased traffic and poor road maintenance have led to reduced comfort and the mobility of cyclists, many of who are women and girls in the case of Solo. 

The project aims to improve these conditions by formulating gender-sensitive and context-based solutions. In many households, women are least privileged to use the motorcycle for mobility, turning to alternative options such as walking or cycling. The implementation of tools for the promotion and championing of cycling is crucial for the improvement of their quality of life and access to social and economic activities. The bicycle is not only a mode for sustainable mobilization but also a tool for gender equality and independence.

The pilot project for Women on Wheels in Indonesia implemented different tools to promote female cycling in Solo. Kota Kita, in partnership with Living Cities, researchers, and the Solo City local government, bicycle groups, and citizens executed a series of strategic activities that responded to the conditions of our four chosen target groups: schoolgirls, women and women workers, DOTs, and civil society groups. Pro-cycling and awareness-raising activities are structured to address the issues of infrastructure and safety, bicycle design, and norms and attitudes. 

Kota Kita will continue to expand upon the activities of Women on Wheels. Current and future initiatives include a series of public campaigns and bike clinics to improve cyclists’ capacity and readiness on the road,  integrated bicycle map for tourism, leisure, and safe routes information, and advocacy for inclusion of pro-cycling agenda and initiatives into city budget (APBD or Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah).

Safe cycling campaigns

To improve the adoption of bicycles as the main alternative mode of transportation, that is affordable, healthy, and sustainable, Kota Kita has been campaigning for safe biking practices. Since 2017, Kota Kita has been working with the Surakarta City Department of Transportation on a number of activities. A bicycle safety workshop and bike clinic where the Kota Kita team and DoT officials share safe riding protocols and practical tips to overcome challenges with bike maintenance. It invited representatives of women groups from all 51 neighborhoods in Solo. As a follow-up, Kota Kita held a safe riding competition for women groups which garnered more than 150 participants.

Bike maps

Solo has the opportunity to improve its tourism potential by accommodating robust cycling infrastructure in the city. Kota Kita created a bike map that integrates urban tourism information and safe bike routes derived from context-based research and technical road analysis. The routes are thematically categorized into heritage, craft, and city parks. The team conducted consultations with different stakeholders, including citizens, government agencies, and the tourism board to iterate for optimal functionality. The map will be an information tool for locals and visitors that are looking for safer cycling route alternatives to enjoy the city. 

Advocacy for inclusion to the city budget

Kota Kita has been working with the Department of Transportation to include budgeting for the initiatives related to gender-inclusive sustainable transportation campaigns to the city budget. Utilizing the knowledge from the study and research, Kota Kita is campaigning for immediate actions related to slow lane revitalization and infrastructure improvement as a way to complement the ongoing awareness campaigns.

Publications:

  Women on Wheels: Programs and Implementation