THE MP for Bath has called on the government to address barriers to cycling as part of Cycle to Work Day.

Cycle to Work Day, which took place on August 7, encourages people across the UK to choose cycling over driving or public transport for their daily commute, helping to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and promote personal wellbeing.

MP Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats) used the occasion to highlight the barriers that still prevent many people, especially women, from choosing cycling as a safe, accessible and affordable form of transport.

In Parliament earlier this year, the MP pressed the government to address the gender ‘pedal gap’, which is the disproportionate number of women who do not cycle due to concerns over road safety, lack of infrastructure, and night-time visibility.

This follows data from Lime’s ‘Tackling The Gender ‘Pedal Gap’: Women’s Night Safety Report 2023’, which says that 71 per cent of women in the UK never cycle in comparison to 54 per cent of men.

Lime is the UK's largest shared provider of electric bikes and scooters, however, approximately only a quarter of Lime’s riders in the UK identify as female.

Mrs Hobhouse, commented: “Cycle to Work Day is a fantastic celebration of the many benefits of active travel to our health, our environment, and our cities.

“But across the UK, too many people are still held back from making the switch due to poor infrastructure and safety concerns.

“If we’re serious about getting more people cycling, we need to close the gender pedal gap. To do this we need serious investment in safe, accessible cycle routes and better street lighting for night-time cycling.

“Only then will we truly be able to shift gears towards a more equal and sustainable future.”