A Liberal Democrat-run council has been accused of having a ‘two-tier approach to equalities’ after saying e-bikes would help women to ‘stay looking nice’.
Kingston Council, in southwest London, stated in an equalities impact assessment that e-bikes ‘may increase women’s access to cycling and physical activity by making it easier for women to meet their traditional domestic responsibilities, as well as stay looking “nice” on a bike’.
It added that ‘e-bikes are also challenging sexism in cycling in important ways; making bike retail and repair environments more inclusive for women, challenging sexism in bike design and marketing and increasing women’s sense of confidence and entitlement to occupy the road space’.
The report also stated: ‘They are also opening up more empowering and enjoyable opportunities for physical activity to a wider group of women.’
The local authority has now been forced into an embarrassing U-turn after a resident claimed that the statement demonstrated a ‘two-tier approach to equalities’ by ‘treating women as second-class citizens’.
‘There is no place for this kind of disturbing statement to be made in today’s society at all, let alone in an equalities impact assessment,’ she said.
Another resident reacted with anger by saying: ‘Kingston Council horror. This is from the Equalities Impact Assessment for the move to increase to 500 ebikes across Kingston going to Place Committee. OMG. Weep, women of Kingston; weep!’
Kingston Council has now apologised, acknowledging that the report ‘contained an outdated and inappropriate description of the benefits of cycling for women’.
An equalities report published by Kingston Council claimed that e-bikes would help women ‘stay looking nice’, provoking furious backlash from residents
Residents accused the council (pictured) of sexism and of having a ‘two-tier approach to equalities’
In a statement on Thursday, the council said: ‘It has been brought to our attention today that an Equality Impact Assessment published as an annex to the E-Bikes Concession Contract report to the council’s Place Committee, 4 June 2026, contained an outdated and inappropriate description of the benefits of cycling for women.
‘This description does not align with the council’s commitments to fairness, inclusivity and protecting the rights of all women and girls.
‘We would like to sincerely apologise for this error and for any offence caused. We are committed to fairness and equality of opportunity, working with communities and partners to ensure Kingston is a place where we celebrate diversity, tackle inequality and strive to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and heard.’
The council said the statement in question was a ‘direct quote from a peer reviewed academic paper which was used as part of the research to inform the assessment’.
‘While the research quoted highlights how the availability of e-bikes is challenging sexism and making cycling more accessible for some women, we accept that using the quote, especially in isolation and without reference, is likely to cause offence, therefore it should never have been included in the EQIA,’ the council said.
The equalities report now states: ‘E-bikes may increase active travel amongst women as well as the wider population by for example enabling carrying of goods or shopping and allowing more complex trip chaining that people with carrying responsibilities may face more regularly.’
The Daily Mail has approached Kingston Council for further comment.
