Why don't more people cycle?

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I am amazed more people haven't found cycling as a form of exercise. It is a total revelation for me - 4/5 months ago I could barely get to the local shops & am now comfortably cycling 20+miles and LOVING IT! I've never really enjoyed exercise or found a sport I was any good at (used to force myself into the gym or to classes to keep trim) but I actually look forward to going on my rides. Oh and my legs have never been firmer which is always a bonus

Is it because, like me, people assume they just can't ride, or fear of traffic etc?

I am a female cyclist and I live in London. Interestingly most men I know commute by bike and ride for sport , and hardly any of their partners/wives do. Storage and money are not reasons. It seems to be unappealing to the women, for fear of traffic and discomfort, hassle of bike maintenance to name a few barriers to entry. My female friends are fit but they run, play tennis, swim etc.
As a triathlete I will admit that cycling is definitely the most risky of my 3 disciplines, and I do feel there is a certain risk each time I go out riding. But I am a cautious rider, I avoid certain junctions, and sometimes find quiet hills to do repeats where traffic isn't an issue. I won't go out in poor weather or if there's any chance of ice.
I do understand where many people live it would be unappealing for traffic reasons.
Also, as a fitness activity it is very time consuming. A 45 minute run is a good work out, but you need much longer on the bike for the equivalent effort.
I love cycling though and if I lived somewhere different would do far more !

I cycled most when I lived in London. It was my primary means of transport. I was a foolish, teenager though, but I used parks, commons, side streets and The South Bank, Covent Garden and similar as much as I could.

I adore it. I'm a wuss in the bad weather but oddly enough had resolved to start again tomorrow....I am SO looking forward to it. I am planning to ride to my Mum's...that's 9 miles away. As I'm a bit unfit I am nervous of the ride back! I will be knackered but am getting married next year and want to really build up my figure to what I want without any panic dieting.

Cycling is so exhillerating! It IS nerve wracking if you're not used to it but that passes.

Hired a bike on holiday last year, I just could not balance for the life of me and was wobbling all over the place, like Bambi on ice! I also developed vertigo recently - I have a 3yo dc, I think pregnancy really effed up my inner ear

I also wouldn't cycle to work as the road is fast, windy, and drivers utter nutters. I have a door-to-door bus, which is handy.

Wow so many responses & so interesting to read. It's actually really made me appreciate that where I live (not in a city & close to plenty of quieter more rural routes) has played a huge part in my new found love of cycling.
Tbh I've barely even considered the risks involved - I wear hi-vis gear, lights always on & helmet and feel pretty confident on my bike which might be as a result of previous commuting in central London on a bike for a number of years without incident (although I don't remember enjoying it!)

A lot of bikes got stolen from our locked, underground garage at work last year. That put a lot of folk off.

I love the idea of regularly using cycling as a means of transport, but as a form of exercise it just doesn't cut it for me (compared with running). I suppose it would do if I were going hell-for leather the whole time, or cycling miles and miles every day, but I don't have time to do that! If I'm just cycling along at a normal speed it doesn't really feel like any effort at all.

Plus the roads round here are narrow and bendy and people drive too fast.