It is disappointing that there are less women cycling than men. Drawing from my own experience, my Wife is simply not interested in cycling. We both had bikes, before my Som came along, but my Wife wasn’t really into it tbh. When asked, she just said she wasn’t fussed. Nothing to do with Lycra, busy roads, or other people’s opinions, it just doesn’t do it for her and she can’t see the attraction.
I think that we should just accept that Women and Men are different and not try and suggest that there are always barriers in place. Yes, at times there are, but it’s not always the case.
Where there are barriers, actual or perceived, then I am totally behind removing them, without question.
One thing I have noticed about myself is that I used to feel awkward when crossing paths with a woman cycling, or running for that matter, when we are both on our own. The awkwardness was down to over thinking whether they would take offence to me saying hello, by thinking there’s more to my politeness. I just decided that I would continue with my natural inclination to say hello to every rider I was lucky enough to encounter, irrespective of gender.
I do wonder whether other men feel like this and then don’t say hello, and the women then find us rude and unwelcoming?