Overcoming Obstacles in Women's Cycling: The Journey of Every Young Female Athlete
Succeeding in professional cycling means tackling countless challenges head-on. For female cyclists, the journey is particularly difficult in a male-dominated industry. In this article, I share insights on the obstacles women have overcome and the strides being made towards a more inclusive and equitable future in women's cycling.
Key Takeaways
- Navigating a male-dominated industry as a female professional often involves breaking barriers and forging a path that challenges traditional norms.
- The 2022 Women’s Tour de France achieved a cumulative live audience of 23.2 million people, roughly comparable to the 2023 Wimbledon.
- More than 70% of women working in the cycling industry are planning to leave within the next 12 months.
- I founded Hosking Bikes to break down barriers and become the first female entrepreneur to achieve success in this male-dominated sector.
Breaking Barriers
From the beginning of my cycling career, gender barriers were a persistent challenge. Women’s cycling has historically faced inequities in funding, media representation, and opportunities compared with male counterparts. Beyond demonstrating physical and mental strength, female cyclists must defend their right to be present in the sport while fighting for recognition, support, and opportunities—all without compromising performance.
“Our ongoing advocacy aims to pave a more accessible and equitable path for those who will walk in our footsteps.”
Significant progress includes the push for a universal minimum wage for female professional cyclists. Over my 13-year career, the disparity between male and female salaries, and even within the female peloton, has been stark. Collective efforts by organisations such as The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) have made strides in closing this gap, but work remains.
Media coverage has also played a key role. Highlighting achievements, challenges, and stories not only inspires future generations of female cyclists but showcases the strength and diversity in the sport. The 2022 Women’s Tour de France attracted 23.2 million viewers worldwide, surpassing some major male sporting events like the 2023 NBA Finals (17.8 million) and nearing Wimbledon’s 25.6 million viewers. This demonstrates the growing global interest and market potential in women's cycling.
Challenges On and Off the Road
Professional cycling is physically and mentally demanding. Women face unique hurdles such as menstrual health, pregnancy (with maternity leave only recently introduced through advocacy by TCA), and postpartum recovery. Supporting female athletes requires tailored resources that address these specific needs.
Challenges extend beyond the road. Women are underrepresented in leadership: only 13% of executives at the five major bike brands are women. Over 70% of women employed in the cycling industry plan to leave within the next year, highlighting systemic issues that require urgent attention.
Why Female-Led Initiatives Matter
Female-led initiatives and businesses play a critical role in addressing challenges faced by women in cycling:
- Representation and Empowerment: Women in leadership increase representation and drive cultural change.
- Understanding Unique Challenges: Female-led businesses are better positioned to address challenges specific to women cyclists, both on and off the road.
- Inspiring Future Generations: Successful female leaders encourage young athletes to pursue their passion confidently.
- Creating an Inclusive Landscape: Supporting female-led initiatives fosters diversity, challenges traditional norms, and breaks down barriers.
It is for these reasons I founded Hosking Bikes, the first female-founded, managed, and wholly-owned cycling brand. Women must lead and support others to create a more welcoming, equal, and sustainable future for female cyclists.
Conclusion
In professional cycling, overcoming gender-related obstacles remains both challenging and rewarding. My journey reflects the collective effort to advocate for equality. While progress has been made, continued advocacy and structural changes are essential to secure recognition, support, and opportunities for women in the sport.
Read more about women's cycling and advocacy