Safety concerns and lack of infrastructure prove greater barriers for female cyclists than male cyclists, according to latest research

April 2025

Concerns over safety and infrastructure prove greater barriers for female cyclists than male cyclists, according to latest research: New research has found than an increasing number of women are feeling discouraged from cycling over concerns about safety, cycling infrastructure and the intimidating presence of aggressive drivers on the roads compared to their male counterparts. Almost two thirds of women surveyed (58%) cited fears over safety and a lack of suitable infrastructure as factors which limit their cycling journeys each year compared to less than half of men (46%). 

Commissioned by charitable membership organisation Cycling UK and undertaken by YouGov, the survey polled 2,204 UK adults earlier this year and compared its findings to a similar survey conducted in 2018. It revealed that after seven years of investment and improvements to cycling infrastructure, men are experiencing fewer barriers to cycling while women reported either no change or felt less safe than before.

In 2018, nearly one in four (39%) males and 44% of females reported they were concerned about the lack of segregated cycle lanes. As investment in cycle lanes has increased, this matter has become less of an issue for male cyclists today (down 4% to 35%) but it remains a key cause for concern amongst female cyclists (unchanged at 44%). 

Similarly, while the issue of drivers overtaking too closely and experiencing threatening behaviour has fallen by 5% for men, the issue has remained consistent for women. Over a third (36%) of women feel UK roads are not safe enough to cycle and 23% cited the lack of dedicated cycle routes as a barrier to cycling.

The difference between genders in response to cycling barriers is also reflected in cycling numbers today. Almost a third of women (32%) said they had not cycled since they were under 16 years old compared with just over one in five (22%) men. The research found that men are also twice as likely as women to have cycled in the last three months (30% cf. 15%.).

Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: “Many women, including myself, need to overcome barriers to cycling that simply do not affect men in the same way. It is important we build safe cycle routes designed with the experiences of women in mind – while also calling out bad behaviour on our roads. Gender should never play a role in whether or not people feel able to choose to cycle.”