Thank you for the sensitivity you have shown towards your fellow cyclists if the female gender. We need more men like you in the world. Especially in India, Italy, Mexico, Egypt, the USA. The spouse commented as you, that he was completely unaware of how bad it was for women out there. I suggested he dress like a woman & see what happens. And please take note. I am not talking about friendly flirting or compliments which also occur. It is the inquiry as to giving out blow jobs that is disturbing when one is riding along in bliss & then that comment is yelled from a passing car. I used to wear my hair boyishly short. As soon as it began to grow a little close to my ears the comments would begin. Now I am just too cheap to cut it.

Are you speaking motor, or pedal ?

For either, not my experience - not at all ... I see many women riders wherever I go.

I am dismayed to see all the fears expressed here, about riding alone though. Maybe I've been lucky, or present a "don't F with me" aura when I'm out there - but I have hiked, biked, kayaked, and wandered all over the place alone , and continue to do so...

Perhaps a women's self defense course is in order for some ? You may never have to use your new skills - but by knowing them, your attitude and awareness may change !

That and the fact that it is so dangerous for women to do any outdoor sport for fear of rape. Women have to basically do outdoor sports in pairs or groups, and bikes cost more than just sneakers for running, so it's easier to put together a group of women to run than bike.

My experience says there are a fairly high number of female cyclist but maybe that is just because I am from the Pacific Northwest.

Are you talking about a motorcycle or bicycle?

I haven't biked since that last hit and run that knocked me over and destroyed my bicycle.

Before I owned a car, the cycle was my mode of transportation in the urban environ. Now that I have escaped & reside in a rural setting I no longer cycle. I have had attempts to steal my bike as I rode. I have had harassment and nasty attention. I used to ride at 3 am in order to avoid THEM. Whether cycling or not, so many men do not realize the danger & abuse women have to endure just being a woman....all over the world. We are the hunted gender. We are prey. But some prey fight back. I call the company & complain about the behavior of commercial drivers after getting the cab number or license plate. I call the police if harassers are stationary on a project. I use the knuckle sandwich technique if physically threatened. As I have secluded myself from the onslaught of testosterone I urge all women not to ignore, not to let it go, but to fight back any way you can until we take back our sovereignty.

I enjoy biking sometimes but it's not something I have a great preference for. Can't say that my biology has anything to do with it. It's more the steep hills I would have to overcome around here.

haven't had bike except exercise bike in years

Biking for transportation? Yes, went to school, went to appointment, went shopping, went to the beach.
For sport? No, had no time for sport.
Now I have time but no balance.

Well, my club has many women riders, in fact a few of the strongest are ladies. But you're probably correct overall.

Nah, nothing to do with womens biology but all to do with women and lycra.

Slightly more men in my area on the bikes, but not a big difference

What @DevraisA1 says is an experience that many, perhaps most, female cyclists will recognise. Secondly, cycling is still largely presented as a male sport - look at the cycling magazines in a shop and see how many feature a female cyclist on the cover, then look inside and see how many articles and adverts feature female cyclists. How many people are aware that there are thousands of women's cycling races every year, which get virtually no media coverage at all? How many outside the cycling world are aware that the most successful cyclist in the world today (by a long way) is a woman?

But, women have been cycling since the bicycle was invented, and racing too - Marie Marvingt tried to enter the Tour de France in 1908 (when she wasn't allowed to do so, she followed the race around France instead - and completed the entire distance, unlike more than half of the men who did enter) and Alfonsina Strada entered the Giro d'Italia in 1924. Things are starting to change. I'm a fan of cycle racing, and specifically women's cycling - the sport has grown enormously in the last ten years, and at long last it's starting to get covered in the press and even occasionally on TV. This will get more women cycling, just like there's always an upturn in bike sales to men whenever a big race such as the Tour de France is on.

Incidentally, one of the best climbing cyclists in the world today (who, very unusually for a climber, is also a talented sprinter) is a woman from your country: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.

I don't think I am alone in saying that I have been bothered/intimidated while riding. I am now afraid to ride unless I am in a very public place. This sounds funny, but I wish you could know what it is like being a woman alone. We have to be constantly on guard against unwanted attentions/innuendos. I truly don't think I am paranoid...I am now 64 years old and to some people no longer beautiful. It STILL does not stop men from slowing down their car and asking if I want a ride in a creepy way.