Cycling UK calls for targeted investment to 'remove barriers' for women cyclists in Britain
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
Cycling UK has called for greater, targeted investment in cycling infrastructure across the UK to help more women feel safe and confident to cycle, with the charity urging Government to commit at least 10% of their transport budgets to active travel as part of its new campaign, ‘My ride. Our right’.
The charity states that while overall cycling rates have increased in areas with better infrastructure—particularly in cities like London—the gender gap in cycling participation is growing, with new research showing that men are now twice as likely as women to have cycled in the past three months.
Referring to reported YouGov data, Cycling UK highlights that improvements such as segregated cycle lanes have reduced concerns among men, but these same changes have not eased the worries of many women.
The charity cites the example of the proportion of men claiming a lack of separated lanes as a barrier to cycling dropped by 4 points, while the figure for women has actually increased.
Safety remains the biggest concern, according to Cycling UK, with the organisation referencing statistics that show more than half of women (58%) said their cycle journeys are limited by safety fears and inadequate infrastructure. The charity indicates that specific issues include roads feeling unsafe (36%) and a lack of dedicated routes (23%).
Figures show that media coverage also influences attitudes, according to Cycling UK, with 53% of women saying what they read in the news puts them off cycling, while Department for Transport figures have revealed cycling is statistically safer than walking, per mile travelled.
Tina, a 62-year-old cycle instructor from Stevenage, described an incident where a van driver tailgated and confronted her and a student: “He chose to intimidate us instead of overtaking safely. The anger, the entitlement—it was all there.” She added, “It didn’t put my student off, but for many women, it would be enough to stop cycling altogether.”
Cycling UK claims such experiences are far too common and that infrastructure can make or break a woman’s choice to cycle, citing that almost half of women (45%) said a direct route to town centres would encourage them to cycle, while 39% highlighted the importance of physically separated lanes.
Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at Cycling UK, said: “Many women, including myself, face barriers that men often don’t. We need to build safer streets designed with women’s experiences in mind, and invest in networks that support everyday trips—not just commutes.”