Travel adaptations among women commuters in response to sexual harassment and fear of crime on public transport

Promoting public transport is widely regarded as a key strategy for advancing sustainability. However, concerns about women’s safety continue to pose a significant barrier to its regular use. A growing number of studies have highlighted the vulnerability of female commuters to harassment and crime, yet there is limited evidence on how these experiences –and the fears they generate– translate into changes in travel behavior. This knowledge gap makes it difficult to develop evidence-based interventions. Accordingly, this study examined the interrelations between sexual harassment, fear of crime, and travel-related behavioral adaptations among female public transport users in Spain. The analysis was based on a cross-sectional sample of 720 female public transport commuters. The average age of participants was 29 years. They responded to an e-survey addressing commuting patterns, perceptions of safety, and behavioral responses. Our results suggest that both direct and indirect experiences of harassment are consistently associated with higher levels of fear of crime, which in turn influence changes in travel behavior. Specifically, fear of crime was found to partially mediate the relationship between harassment and travel-related adaptations. These findings provide further insight into how psychological and contextual factors shape women’s use of public transport, and highlight the need to address not only actual incidents but also the broader perception of insecurity. • Sexual harassment significantly alters female commuters' mobility. • Fear acts as a key mediator in behavioral adaptation to harassment. • Differences in city size and age groups influence harassment impact. • Research emphasizes need for enhanced safety in public transport.