Over 1,000 female cyclists participated in a protest ride through the streets of London, demanding action to improve cycling conditions for women.
The peloton started at Lincoln’s Inn Fields and passed through iconic landmarks such as Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace.
The ride was organised by the London Cycling Campaign, who are petitioning the Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure cycling is an inclusive mode of transport across London.
It comes after a recent report found that female cyclists faced gendered abuse, harassment, and aggression while cycling in London.
Protestors called on the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to improve cycling safety for women.
Female cyclists face gendered abuse
The London Cycling Campaign asked over 1,000 women about their experiences cycling in London for the recently released report entitled “What Stops Women Cycling in London” .
It found that women cycling in London face frequent harassment, intimidation and gendered abuse.
93% of respondents said drivers had used their vehicles to intimidate them. For 77% it happened at least once a month.
Verbal abuse was also a common grievance, with many women being told to “get off the road.”
The cyclists flowed through the streets of London after setting off from Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Many riders at the protest ride echoed the findings of the report.
Georgia Yaxley of the Women of Colour Cycling Collective said women were participating in the protest to reclaim the streets.
“The vast majority, if not all women are facing abuse when they’re just simply cycling, and it’s not OK. The types of things that have been said to me, to friends, to everybody here I imagine, is really shocking.”
“We are riding today to say we’ve had enough, and it’s about time that women have the freedom to cycle like anybody else, and to do it safely and without experiencing abuse.”
The petition
The London Cycling Campaign’s petition calls to make cycling an inclusive mode of transport in the capital.
They want the Mayor to address women’s physical and social safety while cycling, as well as creating safe local networks for cycling.
The London Cycling Campaign’s petition has reached over 5,000 signatures so far
Kate Bartlett of the London Cycling Campaign said that they want Sadiq Khan to “make sure that the streets of London become safe for any woman who wants to cycle”.
The petition has received over 5,000 signatures so far.
Mayoral response
Speaking to City News, The Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, acknowledged the need for improvement.
“We need to do more to make sure that everybody can enjoy the benefits of cycling,” Norman stated.
Will Norman, Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner accepted the petition which has been signed by more than 5,000 people
He also highlighted the importance of addressing social safety concerns.
“We also need to not just look at physical safety, we also need to look at social safety, which is why the mayor is prioritising violence against women and girls with his work, with the Met and other organisations”
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StandfirstProtesters staged the "freedom ride" through the streets of London demanding safer cycling for women in the capital
Over 1,000 female cyclists participated in a protest ride through the streets of London, demanding action to improve cycling conditions for women.
The peloton started at Lincoln’s Inn Fields and passed through iconic landmarks such as Oxford Circus, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace.
The ride was organised by the London Cycling Campaign, who are petitioning the Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure cycling is an inclusive mode of transport across London.
It comes after a recent report found that female cyclists faced gendered abuse, harassment, and aggression while cycling in London.
Protestors called on the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to improve cycling safety for women.
Female cyclists face gendered abuse
The London Cycling Campaign asked over 1,000 women about their experiences cycling in London for the recently released report entitled “What Stops Women Cycling in London” .
It found that women cycling in London face frequent harassment, intimidation and gendered abuse.
93% of respondents said drivers had used their vehicles to intimidate them. For 77% it happened at least once a month.
Verbal abuse was also a common grievance, with many women being told to “get off the road.”
The cyclists flowed through the streets of London after setting off from Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Many riders at the protest ride echoed the findings of the report.
Georgia Yaxley of the Women of Colour Cycling Collective said women were participating in the protest to reclaim the streets.
“The vast majority, if not all women are facing abuse when they’re just simply cycling, and it’s not OK. The types of things that have been said to me, to friends, to everybody here I imagine, is really shocking.”
“We are riding today to say we’ve had enough, and it’s about time that women have the freedom to cycle like anybody else, and to do it safely and without experiencing abuse.”
The petition
The London Cycling Campaign’s petition calls to make cycling an inclusive mode of transport in the capital.
They want the Mayor to address women’s physical and social safety while cycling, as well as creating safe local networks for cycling.
The London Cycling Campaign’s petition has reached over 5,000 signatures so far
Kate Bartlett of the London Cycling Campaign said that they want Sadiq Khan to “make sure that the streets of London become safe for any woman who wants to cycle”.
The petition has received over 5,000 signatures so far.
Mayoral response
Speaking to City News, The Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, acknowledged the need for improvement.
“We need to do more to make sure that everybody can enjoy the benefits of cycling,” Norman stated.
Will Norman, Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner accepted the petition which has been signed by more than 5,000 people
He also highlighted the importance of addressing social safety concerns.
“We also need to not just look at physical safety, we also need to look at social safety, which is why the mayor is prioritising violence against women and girls with his work, with the Met and other organisations”
