Over 80 glow rides across the UK return to highlight need for safer cycle routes for women

For the second year, women across the UK are organising mass cycle rides to highlight the need for safer routes, coordinated by the country’s leading cycling charity, Cycling UK.

The UK-wide glow rides, hugely popular in 2025 with thousands taking part, were inspired because women make half as many trips by bike as men, and are more likely to be put off cycling by fears of busy traffic or harassment. They now return to renew the call for more investment in cycling and walking routes that considers the experiences of women.

In March 2025, Cycling UK revealed as part of its ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign for women’s safety, that seven years of progress in cycling have led to fewer barriers for men, but little to no change for women.

It was referring to a YouGov survey it had commissioned, which showed over half of women (58%) believe their cycle journeys to be limited by safety concerns and a lack of suitable infrastructure.

On the evening of 22 October 2026, women will take to their bikes to shine a light on cycle routes that aren’t designed with women’s safety in mind. These include unlit paths after dark, cycle lanes that don’t provide adequate separation from cars, and networks that don’t provide for trips within neighbourhoods, only commuter corridors.

Cycling groups and communities will come together for the glow rides, which are this year sponsored by cycling brands Altura and CatEye, just a few days before the clocks go back. The rides will light up the night, demanding safer streets and better cycling infrastructure, especially for women riding after dark.

To highlight the importance of the issue, women from around the UK have also taken their demands right to the Prime Minister’s door. On 15 October, led by Cycling UK and joined by MPs Jess Asato and Kim Leadbeater, a group of women delivered a letter to No 10 calling on Andy Burnham to support safer streets and better cycle routes that feel safe and welcoming for everyone.

The women described their experiences in the letter:

I would like to get to work safely without being bullied by car drivers. I am getting to work just the same as people in cars Hazel

Everyone has a right to the city, to move through it as we choose, when we choose, with freedom. But as a woman, I know that fear can restrict that freedomKitty, Norwich

I have been run off the road and had bottles thrown at me... My husband also rides, trains and races with cycling clubs, and has never experienced this kind of harassmentSheila

There are too many short journeys that don’t feel safe enough by bike in the dark and I end up driving instead. Safer cycling for women could improve things for all of usSarah, Oxfordshire

With more than 80 rides already confirmed the charity has a regularly updated and simple to use map to help people find local glow rides near them. Cycling UK is encouraging communities to bring their bikes, lights and support or to host a glow ride if there’s not one local.

To make things easy, the charity has also pulled together resources, guides and templates to help plan and promote rides and has an exclusive glow ride product collection for sale. Find out more by visiting:https://www.cyclinguk.org/my-ride-our-right/mass-rides 

Glow rides are part of Cycling UK’s women’s safety campaign ‘My ride. Our right’, which in 2025 revealed that seven years of progress in cycling have led to fewer barriers for men, but little to no change for women.

Glow rides are a colourful celebration of cycling that shine a light on the need for safer streets and better cycle routes, especially for women riding after dark. 

Sarah Mitchell, Chief Executive at Cycling UK, said:

“We know women across the country are fed up with the lack of safe cycle routes in their areas, but the popularity of last year’s glow rides showed the feeling is even stronger than we could have predicted.

“Cycling is an affordable, healthy and sustainable way to get around, and if it’s safe for women, it’s safe for everyone. As Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham led the way to give the people of Manchester transport choices.

“As Prime Minister, he now has an opportunity to extend that and support giving the freedom to travel by bike for everyday journeys to women across the country.” 

Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, said:

“Women deserve the same freedom and choice in how they travel as men, but too many still feel cycling simply isn’t a safe option. That is particularly true after dark, when women can find themselves choosing between an unlit route through a park or a busy main road.

“I’m proud to support Cycling UK’s campaign and the women calling for safer streets. No woman or girl should have to limit where they go or what they do because they don’t feel safe. Whether walking, wheeling, cycling or running, everyone deserves the freedom to move around their communities without fear.”

Ian Young, Head of Altura Brand, said: 

“Having attended a local glow ride last year, we saw first-hand the passion, commitment and community feel around these events and it really reinforced to us why initiatives like these are so important.

“At Altura, we strive to help more people discover the freedom and enjoyment of getting out and about on a bike, while making cycling clothing accessible, versatile and great value.

“We are particularly passionate about supporting more women to feel confident and safe when cycling, and we’re delighted to be involved this year and to play our part in encouraging more people to get out, ride together and enjoy cycling.”

Blair Morgan, CatEye Brand Manager, said: 

“We are proud to support an event that puts women’s cycling and safety firmly in the spotlight, because we’re not going to get more women cycling unless they feel confident and safe to cycle.

“Events like this bring cyclists together, build confidence and help more women feel comfortable getting out on their bikes. We believe everyone should be able to enjoy cycling, and good lighting and visibility are a simple but important part of making that possible.”

List of flagship glow rides. For full list, see ‘notes to the editors’: 

England

• Bath (Somerset)
• Eastbourne (East Sussex)
• Falmouth (Cornwall)
• Leeds (West Yorkshire)
• Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire)
• Newbury (Berkshire)
• Norwich (Norfolk)
• Nottingham (Nottinghamshire)
• Oxford (Oxfordshire)
• Paignton (Devon)
• Portsmouth (Hampshire)
• Preston (Lancashire)
• Southampton (Hampshire)
• Stevenage (Hertfordshire)
• Worcester (Worcestershire)

Scotland:

• Aberdeen (Aberdeenshire)
• Inverness (Inverness-shire)
• Kinross (Kinross-shire)
• Milngavie (East Dunbartonshire)

Wales:

• Cardiff (Cardiff)