Women’s involvement in cycling through history

Women have achieved a historic milestone in U.S. cycling: 60% of bicycle owners between the ages of 18 and 27 are now women. This shift marks a significant change in the demographics of cycling enthusiasts and highlights the growing popularity of biking among younger generations of women.

The Gender Divide

For a long time, cycling has been predominantly seen as a male-dominated sport. While it’s common to see young girls riding bikes in elementary and middle school, many abandon cycling by high school. Historically, however, this wasn’t always the case. During the 1890s—a period marked by societal constraints for women—many found solace and independence in bicycles. As Susan B. Anthony famously noted in 1896, "Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world." This sentiment underscores how bicycles provided women with newfound freedom and autonomy during a time of limited opportunities.

By the late 20th century, however, the number of teenage girls cycling had plummeted. Research from the National Children's Bureau revealed that boys cycled an average of 138 miles annually, compared to just 24 miles for girls. Two main reasons explain this rapid decline: fashion trends and safety fears. Fashion, particularly the rise of impractical clothing styles, discouraged many girls from cycling. Meanwhile, safety concerns, including the risk of accidents and harassment, further deterred participation.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Data from major U.S. bike-share programs—New York, Chicago, and Boston—indicate that for every three men cycling, only one woman participates. While this reflects national averages, some countries like Germany and the Netherlands report higher percentages of female cyclists, with 49% and 55% respectively. Interestingly, women aged 18 to 24 actually cycle more days per year than their male counterparts, but this frequency drops significantly once they enter child-rearing years.

However, older female riders, particularly those aged 45 to 64, remain active cyclists, often riding as frequently as their male peers. Similarly, women over 65 maintain a high level of engagement with cycling, suggesting that barriers like family responsibilities don’t necessarily diminish lifelong enjoyment of the activity.

Over the past two decades, cycling has evolved from a recreational pastime into a practical mode of transportation. Since 2006, the number of women who commute by bike has surged by 58.8%. Moreover, the growth rate of female bike commuters exceeds that of men, rising by 10.9% between 2011 and 2012 compared to 8.4% for men.

Recognizing the untapped potential of the female market, U.S. bike manufacturers began tailoring products specifically for women. This included designing frames with female-specific geometries, creating clothing optimized for the female physique, and developing brighter color schemes. These efforts are paying off: the number of women who ride 110 days or more annually has surpassed 1.3 million, increasing by 8% since 2005. Men in this category, meanwhile, saw a 15% increase during the same period.

Female-Specific Bikes

One persistent question is whether women truly need bikes designed specifically for them. The answer depends on individual needs and preferences. Most major brands now offer frames with female-specific geometries, acknowledging differences in body proportions between genders. For instance, women typically have shorter torsos, narrower shoulders, and longer legs, leading to bikes with shorter top tubes and reduced stem lengths. While intended to improve comfort, these designs sometimes negatively impact weight distribution. Some manufacturers even struggle with fitting petite women onto standard-sized wheels, resulting in awkward-looking models like extra-small road bikes with 700cc wheels or mountain bikes with 29-inch wheels.

These designs can compromise maneuverability and pose risks such as "toe overlap," where the rider's foot strikes the front wheel during sharp turns at low speeds. Although this issue is less prevalent on road bikes, it remains a concern for mountain bikers navigating tight trails.

Major brands like Trek, Specialized, and Scott emphasize research-based designs catering to the average female body, whereas brands like Cervelo and Felt stick to more aggressive riding positions favored by men. Regardless of frame geometry, bikes marketed toward women often feature components tailored for female comfort, including narrower handlebars, shallower drops, slimmer grips, shorter cranks, and specialized saddles. Modern mountain bikes also come equipped with trigger shifters and adjustable brake levers suited for smaller hands. Road bikes, however, face limitations since no dedicated female shifters exist in the market. Shimano and SRAM shifters allow adjustments using standard tools, while Campagnolo models lack such flexibility.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Despite industry efforts to attract more women to cycling, they still represent only 24.7% of riders. Safety remains the primary barrier keeping women away from cycling. A 2010 survey found that 73% of women cited "distracted driving" as their biggest safety concern. Beyond vehicular collisions, other issues like fear of sexual harassment and difficulty transporting children or cargo also discourage participation.

Recent advancements in technology and urban planning are gradually addressing these concerns. Companies like Pedego, Juiced Riders, and Yuba have introduced cargo e-bikes capable of handling steep city streets and heavy loads, making it easier to transport both goods and passengers. Dedicated bike lanes and trails, such as those developed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, are connecting cities more effectively than ever before.

Velosurance, a cyclist-focused insurance policy, tackles injury and liability risks by providing comprehensive coverage for theft, loss, damage, and legal liabilities. Designed specifically for cyclists, the policy covers nearly all scenarios involving a cyclist and their bike, including travel via air or car. Optional medical coverage can help offset out-of-pocket expenses following an accident.