Having lived in Bristol for just over a year, it has taken me until now to admit - I am too scared to cycle in the city.

For most of that time, I have been convincing myself I will buy a bike and start pedalling it to and from work rather than walking the 40-minute commute or even worse - catching the bus.

But for some reason I have just never got around to it. Something has always stopped me.

It was only while having a conversation with colleagues the other day - both of whom cycle - that the realisation dawned on me.

There they were, work friends of mine, one man and one woman, recounting their horror stories of cycling around Bristol and the thought just hit me - I don’t think I can do it.

It was a strange feeling for me because those who know me will probably tell you I am no shrinking violet. Typically, I am not scared to put myself out of my comfort zone, but in this instance I was - and I still am.

It’s both disheartening and frustrating because it is not like I am unaware of the benefits.

I too, would like to benefit from the opportunity to shorten my commute and shave considerable pounds off both my waistline and travel costs - who wouldn't?

But, for me, there are still some very real barriers in the way of me making that final leap of faith onto the saddle.

In short, the thought of facing the perilous congested city on two relatively flimsy wheels scares me. I haven't ridden in a bike in a while and was never given road cycling lessons in school as a child, so the practicalities of navigating anywhere, even despite the number of cycle lanes and tracks available is daunting.

Apart from my own lack of capabilities there is also the very real danger posed by other road users. On too many occasions I have been sat on a bus that has nearly wiped out a cyclist on a roundabout or driven perilously close to someone climbing a slope.

Similarly, I’ve witnessed cars whizzing recklessly around a cyclist out of overblown frustration without a care for the oncoming traffic or safety of the rider. These moments tend to stick with you.

Is it any wonder then why people like myself - who are not the most confident cyclist or would not be able to speed up a hill so as not to annoy the drivers behind - don’t feel they can do it?

(Image: Publicity Picture)

However, that is only one aspect of cycling that worries me. From my own experience of talking to male and female cyclists, it's the women who get the roughest end of the deal.

It seems women are more likely than men to get taunted, cat-called, intimidated and even assaulted or put into dangerous situations. As a woman, that thought weighs heavily on my mind.

As my friend and fellow reporter Grace Earl recalls having a young man blast an air horn in her face as she cycled home late from a meal with her boyfriend - it is clear women are deemed a target easier to mess with.

Maybe it is, like Grace says, because women are less likely or able to turn around and confront their assailant for fear of further reprocussions. But whatever the reason, this is a harsh reality that women who choose to take up cycling have to consider.

Lastly, many women have spoken about not feeling like they fit the traditional idea of what a cyclist looks like which can be off putting for them. And I tend to agree.

Society has not fully accepted women cyclists and an unfortunate number of women still feel too self-conscious to pedal their way around town - not helped by the unwanted attention they will get from certain road users and pedestrians.

(Image: Publicity Picture)

Sweating profusely, while pumping your legs in agony up a steep hill surrounded by angry commuters yelling at you to go faster is many a woman's personal version of hell.

Whether it is vanity or the pressure society and culture places on women making them feel like they have to look perfect all day every day - the practical and physical realty of cycling will be enough to put a lot of women off.

Hearing the number of stories told by female cyclists has, if anything, made me more determined to combat my fears.

Especially because along with the tales of harassment and danger, most who have overcome the difficulties of starting out on a bike, wax lyrical about how brilliant it can be.

Most agree that more should be done to make it easier to cycle and normalise cycling for women, with a Sustrans survey revealing how 81% of women in Bristol support building more protected cycle lanes even if it means less space for other road traffic.

And getting over those barriers real or imagined would be much easier if women cyclists were taken more into account when future plans are drawn up.

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For now though, I have decided to bite the bullet and go on some free cycling lessons with Life Cycle UK, to try and build my confidence.

But, the reality this, while more isn't being done to minimise the dangers, harassment and humiliation women cyclists can face day-to-day, those who do choose to cycle will have to go on enduring it, while so many women will choose not to bother.