British Cycling say they are on track to get one million women cycling regularly by 2020, thanks to a bumper summer when more than 100,000 took part in organised events.
Six months ago, British Cycling (BC) set a target to get million more women cycling, and its women-only Breeze rides appear to have been a hit. At the peak of summer, 200 Breeze rides were held around the UK each week and attracted 23,000 riders, says the governing body.
Women also appear to be enjoying a tougher side to the sport too: about 24,000 women took part in sportives on the BC calendar and the number of women racing has increased by 24 percent compared to last year's figures.
However it was the Sky Ride and Sky Ride local events held in towns and cities all over the UK that was the biggest contributor of female participants. They collectively attracted almost 45,000 riders.
Three time BMX Champion Shanaze Reade said: "The more women who cycle, the more their friends, sisters and mums will be inspired to give it a try – we’re starting to close that gender gap and I look forward to seeing even more women enjoy all that cycling has to offer.”
