Cycling UK celebrates successful ‘Glow Rides’ promoting safer cycling routes for women
Posted on in Cycles News
Thousands of riders across the UK joined Cycling UK’s Glow Rides this month to call for safer cycling and walking routes that reflect women’s needs and experiences.
More than 60 rides took place across all four nations on 22 October, coordinated by Cycling UK in collaboration with local cycling groups, attended by almost 3,000 people with further events continuing into the weekend of 25-26 October. The Glow Rides formed part of Cycling UK’s ‘My ride. Our ride’ campaign, which calls for safer routes and greater investment to close the gender gap in cycling.
Research commissioned by Cycling UK found that almost half of women (48%) are put off cycling by threatening behaviour from drivers, while 56% say concerns about safety after dark limit their journeys.
Glow rider Kitty Cresswell Riol from Norwich said: “This is an important issue because everyone should be able to travel freely and feel safe doing so. Too many people – particularly women – are put off cycling by fear of traffic, poor lighting or harassment.
“When we make streets safer for women, we make them safer, fairer and more welcoming for everyone. Protected cycle lanes, better lighting and well-designed junctions make a huge difference, especially for women riding after dark.”
Cycling UK is calling for long-term investment in walking and cycling, and for networks designed around the journeys women actually make, including school runs, shopping and local trips.
The charity says this could be achieved if governments across the UK invest at least 10% of their transport budgets in active travel and ensure routes are designed with women’s experiences in mind.
Cycling UK Chief Executive Sarah Mitchell said: “Too many women are telling us the same thing: they want to cycle, but they don’t feel safe. When nearly half of women say threatening behaviour from drivers puts them off cycling, and three-quarters say personal safety limits how they travel – that’s a clear indication things need to change.
“Lighting, visibility and protection from traffic are critical. But this is also about equality, access and freedom of movement. That’s why so many people have joined our Glow Rides. It’s time our streets reflected that.”