Women’s Cycling Is on the Rise

Women’s cycling has grown enormously over the last few years, with more women than ever getting on their bikes for commuting, fitness, leisure and sport.

Since 2013, participation among women has increased significantly, helped by a number of campaigns designed to close the long-standing gender gap in cycling.

One of the most high-profile initiatives was the #WeRide women’s strategy, launched in 2013 with the aim of encouraging more women to cycle and making cycling feel more accessible to everyone.

Dame Sarah Storey, one of Britain’s most successful cyclists and a major advocate for women in sport, has played an important role in encouraging more women to take up cycling. The ambition behind campaigns such as #WeRide was to help create a lasting change in attitudes towards cycling and encourage hundreds of thousands more women to ride regularly.

The increase in participation shows that things are moving in the right direction, but there are still plenty of barriers that can put women off cycling.

So What Is Stopping More Women from Cycling?

One of the biggest concerns is safety.

For someone who hasn’t cycled for a while, heading out onto busy roads can feel intimidating. Heavy traffic, poor road layouts and a lack of dedicated cycle lanes can all make cycling seem more daunting than it needs to be.

Research carried out around the time of the campaign found that only around 27% of women felt that the area where they lived was safe for cycling.

Confidence can be another factor. Riding alongside cars, buses and lorries takes some getting used to, particularly for someone returning to cycling after a long break.

The good news is that there are now far more opportunities for women to get involved without having to head straight onto busy roads. Local cycling groups, traffic-free routes, organised rides and beginner sessions can all make it easier to build confidence at your own pace.

Bike Security Matters Too

Another concern for cyclists is bike theft.

Modern bikes can represent a significant investment, particularly electric bikes, road bikes and higher-spec mountain bikes. For some people, worrying about where they are going to keep a bike securely at home can be enough to put them off buying one in the first place.

A secure place to store your bike can make a big difference.

Asgard bike sheds are designed specifically with bike security in mind. Made from tough galvanised steel and fitted with secure locking systems, they offer a much stronger alternative to leaving bikes outside, in an unlocked garage or in a lightweight wooden shed.

A number of Asgard products have also achieved recognised security accreditations, giving cyclists additional reassurance that their bikes are being stored somewhere designed to help protect them from theft.

Secure storage is also about convenience. If your bike is somewhere dry, secure and easy to get to, you’re far more likely to use it regularly rather than leaving it forgotten at the back of a garage.

Cycling Doesn’t Have to Be Competitive

One of the biggest changes in cycling has been the move away from the idea that you need to be a serious cyclist to take part.

You don’t need expensive clothing, a racing bike or the ability to ride for hours at a time.

Cycling can simply mean riding to work, cycling with the children, heading to the shops or enjoying a few miles along a local canal towpath at the weekend.

That’s one of the reasons campaigns aimed specifically at women have been so important.

Initiatives such as This Girl Can have helped challenge some of the traditional perceptions surrounding women and exercise by celebrating women of all ages, shapes, backgrounds and ability levels getting active.

Cycling programmes such as HSBC UK Breeze have also helped by providing organised rides, encouragement and support for women who may not feel confident joining a traditional cycling club.

The emphasis is less about performance and more about getting people riding.

The Benefits Go Far Beyond Fitness

Cycling is obviously a great form of exercise, but that isn’t the only reason to get on a bike.

It can be a practical alternative to taking the car for shorter journeys, it can save money on fuel and parking, and for many people it is simply a good way to switch off and spend some time outdoors.

There is also a social side to cycling.

Joining a local group or organised ride can be a great way to meet new people, discover new routes and gain the confidence to ride further.

For people who are just starting out, riding with others can also make the whole experience feel far less intimidating.

Making Cycling Easier

If cycling is going to continue growing among women, it isn’t simply a case of telling more people to buy a bike.

Safe roads, better cycle infrastructure, local support, secure bike parking and somewhere safe to keep a bike at home all play a part.

Thankfully, the growth in women’s cycling shows that attitudes are changing.

More women are commuting by bike, taking part in organised rides, enjoying mountain biking, trying road cycling and simply getting out for a leisurely ride at the weekend.

And the more visible women cyclists become, the easier it is for the next person to think: maybe I could do that too.

If better bike security is one of the things holding you back, take a look at our range of secure bike storage designed to keep bikes protected, dry and ready for your next ride.