Women have made a historic breakthrough in U.S. cycling: 60% of bicycle owners between the ages of 18 and 27 are women, marking a significant shift in the demographics of the sport. This trend reflects a broader cultural change that has been slowly unfolding over the years.
For many years, cycling was largely seen as a male-dominated activity. While girls often ride bikes during their early years, many stop by high school. However, this wasn't always the case. In the 1890s, when women faced strict social constraints, bicycles offered a rare sense of freedom and independence. Susan B. Anthony once remarked that bicycling had "done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world."
By the late 20th century, the number of teenage girls cycling dropped significantly. Research from the National Children's Bureau showed that boys cycled an average of 138 miles per year, while girls only cycled 24 miles. The drop was largely due to factors like fashion and fear—girls were often discouraged from riding due to societal expectations or concerns about safety.
In recent years, data from major bike-share programs in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston revealed that for every three men who ride, only one woman does. Nationally, women accounted for 24% of bike trips in 2009, but the numbers are much higher in countries like Germany (49%) and the Netherlands (55%).
Interestingly, women aged 18-24 actually ride more days per year than men of the same age, but this drops sharply in the child-rearing years. However, female baby boomers (ages 45-64) ride just as frequently as their male counterparts, and women over 65 continue to cycle regularly. This suggests that women enjoy cycling as much as men do, but balancing life responsibilities can make it harder to maintain regular riding habits.
In the early 2000s, cycling shifted from a leisure activity to a competitive sport. By 2015, a new trend emerged: bicycles are increasingly being used as transportation rather than just for recreation. Since 2006, the number of women commuting by bike has grown by 58.8%, outpacing the growth among men. Between 2011 and 2012 alone, women’s bike commuting increased by 10.9%, compared to 8.4% for men.
Bike manufacturers have taken notice. Over the past decade, brands have focused on creating more inclusive designs, including clothing tailored for women, brighter colors, and specialized geometry. These efforts have started to pay off, with more women riding frequently than ever before. While the number of men who ride 110 days or more has increased by 15%, the number of women doing so has risen by 8%.
When it comes to bike design, the question of whether women need “female-specific†bikes is still debated. Many major brands create frames with different geometries to suit the average female body type—shorter top tubes, narrower handlebars, and smaller wheels. However, these adjustments can sometimes lead to issues like toe overlap, which affects maneuverability, especially at low speeds.
Some brands, like Trek and Specialized, focus on gender-specific designs, while others, such as Cervelo and Felt, offer unisex frames. Regardless of the approach, most bikes marketed to women come with features designed for comfort, such as narrower handlebars, slimmer grips, and saddles tailored for women.
Safety remains a major concern for many women. A 2010 survey found that 73% of women cited distracted driving as their main safety issue. Other concerns include the risk of harassment and the difficulty of carrying children or groceries. To address these issues, new bike models like cargo e-bikes have been developed, offering greater utility and safety for families.
Urban planning and bike infrastructure have also evolved, with more dedicated lanes and paths making cycling safer and more accessible. Insurance options like Velosurance provide additional peace of mind, covering theft, damage, and liability, and even offering medical coverage in case of injury.
As more women take to the roads, the future of cycling looks promising—and more inclusive than ever before.
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