Ready, steady, glow: cycling for women’s safety

Last autumn’s glow rides were brilliant, with thousands of riders lighting up the night all across the UK. This year they’re on 22 October. Why not join us?

Glow rides are celebrations of cycling that spotlight the need for safer streets and better cycle routes, especially for women riding after dark. Open to all but focused on women’s safety, the rides are organised by local cyclists and community groups.

Highlights from last year

Last year’s glow rides brought together people of all ages to highlight safety issues while showing the strength and unity of communities wanting safer walking and cycling routes.

Despite heavy rain, almost 3,000 riders lit up roads from Plymouth to Perth with bike lights, glow sticks and reflective gear to shine a light – literally – on the barriers to cycling that women continue to face.

Improving safety for cyclists means more than adding painted lanes. It’s about designing streets that feel welcoming and secure for everyone Kitty Cresswell Riol, Norwich glow-ride organiser

Some events had up to 100 people, while others were just a group of friends decorating their bikes and going for a ride. A glow ride can be as big or small as you like.

Anne-Marie Goldsmith was one of last year’s participants. She had a brain haemorrhage that caused a stroke almost 30 years ago, which led to her to not being able to cycle.

“I accepted that I would never ride a bike again,” she said. However, she was persuaded by a friend to join her on the back of a tandem. She’s never looked back, saying that cycling was “completely liberating”. By taking part in the event, she said she felt she was doing her bit to promote cycling for women.

Why glow rides are important

In most parts of the UK, safety concerns continue to dominate women’s decisions around cycling. Despite growing enthusiasm for active travel, women often feel shut out from the freedom that cycling can bring.

“[Many women] get very nervous about going out in the dark, especially when they are cycling alone if the streets aren’t lit or if they’re going down dark alleyways,” said Lorraine Murrell, chair of Newbury Road Club.

“[The fact that] a lot of ladies get nervous is sad as that spoils their love of cycling.”

What we’re campaigning for

Glow rides are part of Cycling UK’s women’s safety campaign ‘My ride. Our ride’, which calls for safer cycling routes for women and for more investment in infrastructure to address the gender divide.

We are calling for long-term funding for cycling and walking, and for cycling networks designed and delivered to reflect the journeys women need to take.

That means not just building commuter corridors for city workers but developing routes that serve school runs, shopping trips, healthcare visits and other everyday journeys – particularly within local neighbourhoods.

“Improving safety for cyclists means more than adding painted lanes,” said Kitty Cresswell Riol, Norwich glow-ride organiser. “It’s about designing streets that feel welcoming and secure for everyone.

“Protected cycle lanes, better lighting and well-designed junctions make a huge difference, especially for women riding after dark. Lower traffic speeds, connected routes and visible cycle parking all help create an environment where cycling feels safe, practical and inclusive.”

On 22 October, you too could be a shining example of the demand for safer cycling conditions for women: join a glow ride or organise one in your area.