My ride. Our right: Erica, 43, Kent
Erica regularly cycles her children – aged six and nine – to school. To many, it’s an admirable act, a commitment to sustainability, health and wellness. But to others, it’s an invitation for criticism, judgment and even outright hostility.
“It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Erica insists. “Other parents tell me all the time how amazing it is that we do this. That they plan to do it too.” However, there’s an undeniable element of hostility towards cyclists in general, and women in particular.
Just this year, there was the driver who, enraged at having to slow down, overtook Erica, screeched to a halt, leapt from his car, and screamed an expletive at her in front of her children.
I was so shocked, I couldn’t even respond. He was going at least 40 in a 20mph area coming towards me. I had made myself visible, moved to the middle of my lane so he could see me and slowed down to protect my kids behind me – and that was his reaction
“The guy just literally told me to F-off at the top of his voice. It was a narrow road with cars parked on either side and you could only really get one car through at a time and I doubt he would have gone that far if I was a man.”
Cycling with kids
On the impact of cycling on her children, Erica is enthusiastic. “They love it. They honestly love it. There’s occasional pushback when it’s cold or raining, but generally, it’s a huge positive for them.”
She believes cycling to school makes children more mentally alert and physically active. “They arrive better, more mentally awake. You oxygenate your brain when you cycle.”
Erica explains: “It’s the best thing for them, for all of us. We get exercise, fresh air, and we’re not stuck in traffic.”
Her children love it. They arrive at school feeling energised and wave to their friends, stuck in traffic with their parents. “My son finds it hilarious,” Erica grins. “He gets to zip past them on the pavement while they sit there waiting for the traffic to clear in their big cars.”
More than a hobby
For Erica, cycling isn’t just transport – it’s her default. She cycles her children to school on average four days a week, only opting for the car when rain is torrential or when carrying heavy bags. Her children, seasoned cyclists by now, started young – her daughter was riding unaided at just two and a half.
“In the UK, we see cycling as a hobby. In the Netherlands, it’s just how people get around,” she says. “I want that for my kids.”
The biggest deterrent to cycling in the UK, Erica believes, isn’t laziness – but fear.
People tell me all the time, ‘I’d love to cycle, but I’m too scared to take my kids on the road.’ And I get it to a certain extent, there’s definitely a perception that cycling isn’t safe. But the reality is it is
That’s why she supports the development of segregated cycle lanes, like the one currently being built in Sevenoaks. “Paint on a road isn’t a cycle lane,” she says. “A proper, demarcated lane, separated by a curb – that’s what makes a difference.”
Just do it!
Erica has a simple message for parents wanting to start: “Don’t wait until January and make it a ‘new year new me’ thing – it’s miserable then. Start now, when it’s dry and bright. Try one day a week. You might be surprised by how much you and your children enjoy it.”
As for safety concerns, she acknowledges them – but challenges the narrative. “Yes, cycling carries risks, but so does not exercising. So does sitting in the back of a car every day and not moving your body before you spend the day engaging your mind.
“It’s just that when something happens on a bike, it’s obvious. The health risks of inactivity… they creep up on you.”
While Erica’s overall experience of cycling has been positive, she acknowledges the gendered challenges that exist and can sometimes become barriers to cycling.
“Women are usually more understanding and sympathetic… but you have to be quite bolshey on the roads, and take ownership of your space on the road,” she explains.
Erica believes that societal expectations around women being more cautious or deferential on the roads can sometimes put them at greater risk. “You have to cycle quite male, and I think that’s where some women struggle. It can actually be more dangerous if you’re not confident enough to claim space on the road.”
Making a change
She acknowledges that local councils are making efforts to support cycling, but that more needs to be done if we want to encourage more people to cycle.
They’re literally building a big new cycle lane from the station to secondary schools to get more kids cycling. And it’s actually really good – properly demarcated with a curb, and not just paint on the road
Interestingly, while Erica herself hasn’t experienced explicit gendered harassment while cycling herself, she acknowledges that it is a widespread issue. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve experienced explicit harassment, but I used to cycle across London for a decade, and I know that being a woman in that environment is challenging.”
“At different times in my life, I’ve had to really think about the route I’ve taken to cycle, especially during the winter months when it’s dark. It’s so important that when these routes are designed, they take into account the issues women face when it comes to safety.”
For now, she and her children will continue their morning rides, proving that an alternative is not just possible – it’s better.
My ride. Our right
Women deserve the freedom to move - without fear. Right now, too many women are missing out on the benefits of cycling due to unsafe roads and poor infrastructure. We need better routes, safer streets and a cycling network designed with women in mind. When we make cycling safer for women, we make it safer for everyone.
Join us in calling for change.
Find out more and support the movement by visiting our campaign page.
Survey results
Q1: Which of the following best describes your cycling habits? (Select all that apply). Please bear in mind cycling includes cycling for any purposes (e.g. commuting, leisure, exercise etc)
I currently cycle regularly (at least once a week)
Q2: For the following question, please think about cycling for any purposes (e.g. commuting, leisure, exercise etc). Which, if any, of the following would EVER put you off from cycling in the UK? (Please select all that apply. If nothing in particular would ever put you off cycling in the UK or you cannot ride a bike, please select the relevant ‘Not Applicable option)
- Threatening behaviour from drivers towards me (e.g. swearing etc)
- Drivers who get distracted while driving (e.g. using mobile phones etc)
Q3: My answer to question two is influenced by:
Not aware of cycling perception issues in news media. More knowledgeable of sport cycling.
Q4: Have you ever experienced or felt criticism, judgment or negative comments about any of the following? (Select all that apply)
- Taking your children with you on a bike (e.g. child seat, adapted bike, cargo bike, bike trailer)
Q5: When making local journeys, do you feel your transport options are limited by any of the following? (Put in order)
Erica has felt it in the past, but not now
Q6: Which, if any, of the following would encourage you to cycle in the future? (Please select all that apply)
- Cycle paths and tracks that would enable you to cycle to your local/nearest town centre or high street without sharing space with motor vehicles (i.e. a direct route)
- More physically segregated bike lanes (e.g. cycle lanes which use posts or kerbs to divide the road and cycle lane)
