Kingston Council apologizes for sexist e‑bike wording

A London council has apologized after residents criticized language in an official report that suggested electric bicycles could help women meet traditional domestic responsibilities and "stay looking nice." The Liberal Democrat-run Kingston Council in south London issued the apology following public backlash over the phrasing in an Equality Impact Assessment related to an e-bike rental contract.

The initial report stated 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." Residents expressed outrage on social media, with one person writing, "weep, women of Kingston, weep!" One unnamed resident complained directly to the council, stating the wording treated women as "second-class citizens" and that there was "no place for this kind of disturbing statement" in modern society, particularly within an equality assessment.

In response, the council conceded the language was "outdated and inappropriate" and published a revised version of the report. The updated assessment broadened its focus, stating e-bikes "may increase active travel...