What women told us about feeling safe to cycle

The Big Bike Revival works with community organisations across England to help more people start cycling, return to cycling or feel more confident making everyday journeys by cycle.

As women are a key audience for the programme, we asked delivery partners offering women-only sessions to share what they had learned from supporting women in their communities.

The resulting report, ‘Understanding and removing barriers to women’s cycling’, highlights the complex and often overlapping challenges women face. These include road safety concerns, fear of harassment, cultural expectations, lack of confidence, limited access to equipment and the practical demands of cycling with children.

It also shows what can make a difference.

Delivery partners found that women responded well to patient, gradual support that allowed them to build confidence at their own pace. Sessions that started in traffic-free spaces before progressing to quiet routes helped women develop skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Small, supportive groups were also particularly important. Riding with trusted peers helped reduce feelings of vulnerability and gave women the confidence to use local spaces they had previously avoided.

Women-only sessions created an environment where participants could learn without pressure or judgement. For some women, being surrounded by others with shared experiences helped challenge the belief that cycling was not “for women like them”.

The report also highlights the importance of practical support, including access to shared bikes, helmets and accessories. For women with children, guidance on family-friendly routes and the chance to try specialist equipment such as cargo bikes or FollowMe Tandems helped make cycling feel more realistic for everyday life.

Together, these insights show that helping more women cycle is not about one single intervention. Safer roads and better infrastructure matter, but so do trusted local organisations, supportive instructors, peer encouragement, accessible equipment and spaces where women feel welcome.

The findings will help inform The Big Bike Revival in 2026 and beyond, supporting delivery partners to continue removing barriers and helping more women experience the benefits of cycling.

Read the full report to learn more about the barriers women face and the practical approaches that are helping to overcome them.