Cycling is on the wane in NSW, especially among women, as more people feel conditions for riding in their local areas have deteriorated.

However, inner Sydney offers a bright spot in a poll that found a significant increase in residents who are choosing to ride following several years of decline.

The latest national cycling participation survey shows a drop in people in NSW riding in a typical week to 12.5 per cent this year, from almost 17 per cent in 2015.

The participation rate has declined since 2015 in both greater Sydney and regional NSW to 10 per cent and 16 per cent respectively (from 13 per cent and 23 per cent). NSW has the lowest participation rates for cycling of any state or territory in Australia.