Seven Years of Cycling Progress Reduces Barriers for Men, But Not Women

Over the past decade, cycling has undergone a remarkable transformation. With cities investing in cycling infrastructure, the rise of active transportation movements, and a growing awareness of the benefits of sustainable mobility, it would be easy to assume that progress has lifted all riders equally. However, a closer look reveals a more complicated truth: while men have benefitted significantly from these advancements, many women still face the same old barriers — and in some cases, new ones.

A Promising Start: The Rise in Cycling Popularity

Over the last seven years, cycling has enjoyed a renaissance in many parts of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of cycling as people sought safer, socially distanced ways to commute and exercise. In response, cities rapidly implemented pop-up bike lanes, closed streets to cars, and improved cycling access.

This momentum has been backed by data. According to numerous city and national reports, cycling participation among men has surged, with more choosing bikes as their primary means of transportation. Governments, advocacy groups, and brands have celebrated these trends as signs of long-overdue progress.

But amid the celebrations, a quieter, more concerning narrative has persisted.

The Gender Gap Remains

Despite the broader growth, the gender gap in cycling participation remains stubbornly wide. Studies from cities like London, New York, Melbourne, and Amsterdam consistently show that men are still far more likely than women to cycle regularly — and that the gap hasn’t closed in tandem with infrastructure development.

In London, for instance, men are three times more likely to cycle than women. In the U.S., women account for just 24% of bike trips. Even in cycling havens like the Netherlands, where participation is relatively high across genders, women face unique challenges that are often overlooked in policy decisions.

Barriers Women Face

Why hasn’t progress in cycling translated equally across genders? The answer lies in a complex mix of infrastructure, culture, safety, and representation.

1. Safety Concerns

One of the most cited reasons women avoid cycling is fear — fear of traffic, fear of harassment, and fear of injury. Research shows that women are generally more risk-averse when it comes to transportation choices. While protected bike lanes have helped, they are still patchy and often end abruptly, throwing cyclists into chaotic intersections or fast-moving traffic. Until networks are truly continuous and safe, the “interested but concerned” group — which includes many women — will remain on the sidelines.

2. Infrastructure Isn’t Designed With Women in Mind

Much of the infrastructure developed in the last seven years has favored commuter routes — designed around peak-hour traffic and downtown corridors. But women are more likely to make multi-purpose trips: dropping kids at school, stopping at shops, and running errands. These types of trips require a different kind of network — one that’s safe, accessible, and designed for short, varied journeys rather than long commutes.

3. Representation and Culture

Cycling culture still skews masculine. From competitive gear and branding to the way cyclists are represented in the media, the image of a “typical cyclist” often doesn’t reflect the diversity of actual or potential riders. This lack of representation can make women feel like outsiders before they even get on a bike. If cycling is seen as a lifestyle only for the fit, fast, and fearless, it alienates the broader community — especially women, people of color, and older adults.

4. Lack of Facilities

Safe cycling is only part of the equation. What about what happens before and after the ride? Are there safe bike parking spots, changing rooms, or secure places for belongings? Are there bike models that suit women’s practical needs — child seats, baskets, step-through frames? When cities and brands ignore these elements, they send a message about who cycling is really for.

5. Harassment and Gender-Based Violence

A sadly persistent barrier is street harassment. Many women report being catcalled, followed, or harassed while cycling. This experience can be so deterring that it prevents women from riding altogether. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed with the same urgency as potholes or traffic lights — because it is, fundamentally, about access.

What Needs to Change?

Progress is not truly progress if it leaves people behind. To make cycling more inclusive, systemic change is needed — not just more bike lanes.

1. Design with Diversity in Mind

Infrastructure must be designed with an intersectional lens. That means consulting with women, parents, people with disabilities, and others who are underrepresented in transportation planning. It means thinking beyond the 9-to-5 commuter and considering the varied ways people move through cities.

2. Safety First — But Holistically

Yes, protected bike lanes are essential. But so is addressing street harassment, improving lighting, and ensuring that all areas — including underserved neighborhoods — benefit equally from investments.

3. Normalize Diverse Cycling Identities

We need to see more stories, images, and voices that reflect the full range of people who ride bikes. Campaigns should show mothers with children, older women, casual cyclists, and people from all backgrounds. Representation matters — not just in advertising, but in leadership, too. Women must have a seat at the table when cycling policies are made.

4. Supportive Infrastructure and Amenities

Provide secure bike parking, repair stations, and easy access to public transport for multi-modal journeys. Offer training programs and bike libraries. Make the entire cycling ecosystem supportive and welcoming.

5. Community-Led Change

Grassroots organizations led by and for women are already doing incredible work to empower new cyclists. From learn-to-ride programs to community rides and mentorship, these groups are critical. They should be funded, amplified, and integrated into broader cycling strategies.

Conclusion: Progress With Purpose

Seven years of progress in cycling is something to celebrate — but only if we recognize its limitations and commit to doing better. The fact that men have benefitted more than women is not an accident; it’s the result of systems that haven’t accounted for gendered realities.

Cycling can and should be for everyone. But getting there requires more than infrastructure — it requires empathy, inclusion, and the political will to center voices that have long been ignored. When women ride, communities thrive. It’s time to clear the path for everyone.

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