Women and Girls in Cycling: Why It Matters

If you’ve ever watched a group ride head out on a Sunday morning, you’ll probably have noticed something: it’s still mostly men. But that picture is changing - and in the UK, more women and girls are discovering just how empowering cycling can be.

This shift isn’t just good for individuals; it’s good for communities, for health and for the future of the sport. But more importantly for women and girls in cycling!

Women in cycling: the stats

Cycling has traditionally had a big gender gap in the UK, but progress is real:

• British Cycling’s women’s strategy launched in 2013 with the ambition to get one million more women on bikes. That target was reached ahead of schedule, showing the appetite is there when barriers are removed.
• Sport England’s Active Lives data consistently shows that men still cycle more often than women, but the gap is narrowing - especially in recreational and leisure riding.
• Programmes such as Breeze (women-only guided rides) have helped hundreds of thousands of women try cycling in a friendly, supported environment.

The numbers tell a clear story: when we create safe spaces, positive role models and practical support, women and girls do ride - and keep riding.

Bike rides for women

Looking for bike rides for women? Then Breeze is the place to look. On a Breeze ride every woman is welcome.

Breeze has supported more than 350,000 women to enjoy more than 80,000 community bike rides since it launched it 2011.

Head to their website to find out more about bike rides for women.

The benefits of cycling

Cycling brings a whole package of benefits for women and girls:

• Physical health
  Regular riding improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles and joints, and supports healthy weight management. It’s also low impact, which makes it kinder on knees and hips than many other sports.
• Mental wellbeing
  Time on the bike is a powerful stress-buster. Getting outside, even for a short spin, has been linked to better mood, reduced anxiety and improved sleep. Many women say that cycling gives them “headspace” that’s hard to find elsewhere.
• Confidence and independence
  Learning to ride on the road, fixing a puncture, or completing a first 10-mile or 100-kilometre ride can be hugely confidence-boosting. For younger girls in particular, cycling offers a sense of independence and self-belief that can spill over into school, friendships and future careers.
• Community and friendship
  Women’s cycling clubs and social rides provide supportive, non-judgemental spaces. For many riders, the post-ride coffee and chat are just as important as the miles.

Inspirational British women on bikes

The UK has produced some of the world’s most successful female cyclists, helping to shift perceptions:

• Dame Laura Kenny - multiple Olympic and World Champion on the track, and one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians.
• Lizzie Deignan - former road World Champion and winner of major races such as the Women’s Tour, a vocal advocate for women’s cycling and motherhood in sport.
• Beryl Burton - a legendary time-triallist who dominated UK cycling in the 1960s and 70s, holding records that beat the men’s times.
• Nicole Cooke - Olympic and World Champion on the road, whose successes helped spotlight the need for greater equality in women’s cycling.

 

These riders show girls that there is a pathway from their first wobbly pedal strokes in the park to club racing, elite sport or simply a lifelong love of riding.

Ultimately, cycling should feel like it belongs to everyone. When more women and girls ride, our roads, communities and clubs become healthier, happier and more inclusive places - and that’s a win for all of us.