44% of women no longer run in winter because they don’t feel safe

Sports Direct, a British online store specializing in the sale of sporting goods, has conducted a study on the impact of the change of season on the practice of running. Not surprisingly, the results broadcast by several British media such as Resistence show that the closer to winter, the less motivation there is to go running. The cold, but also the night that falls earlier, seem to be the main causes of this growing laziness. A phenomenon that seems to affect women more than men (and no, it’s not because they are more inclined to hang around).

The insecurity of women in the public space

According to this study, 71% of the women interviewed no longer go out for jogging with the arrival of winter, due to the paths they find poorly lit. A drop in brightness that generates discomfort for some, but for others it is a real reason for insecurity. Indeed, 44% of them say they don’t feel safe while running in winter, at any time. A further example illustrating the unequal occupation of public space according to gender. And it’s not just about the British. Several studies have shown that even French women don’t feel safe on the street, especially at night. Note the irony of the situation: when evening comes, women often want to run home, but prefer to stay at home rather than go out for a run in the evening. What a yellow laugh.

Cover image: Unsplash / Arek Adeoye