A new study from the Platial lab, published in the Journal of Transport Geography, explores gender-based differences in urban recreational running patterns in Montréal, Canada, and Washington, DC, USA. Through the analysis of over 20,000 running trajectories contributed to the geosocial fitness tracking app Strava, we found that men and women exhibit distinct preferences for running locations and times. Women were more likely to run in the morning and preferred routes near bike lanes and parks, whereas men were more likely to run in the evening and in areas with lower population densities. Notably, spatial clustering patterns differed between cities, with Montréal showing dispersed clusters of female runners, while Washington, DC, exhibited a stark east-west divide in running preferences.
These findings have important implications for urban planning and public health, emphasising the need for safer, more inclusive public spaces that encourage equitable access to recreational activities. Our research highlights how built environment factors such as access to bike lanes, green spaces, and lighting shape where and when people choose to run. Understanding these dynamics can inform policies that promote active transportation and improve perceptions of safety in urban areas. Read the full study to explore how urban design can better support diverse running communities.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692325000626