Bicycles and girls’ education: what the evidence shows

Distance is a quiet reason for girls leaving school. When the nearest secondary school is several kilometres away, a long walk, an unsafe road or the cost of transport can tip the balance, especially for girls. Bicycles offer an unusually cheap fix. Here is what the research shows.

The Bihar bicycle programme

In 2006 the Indian state of Bihar began giving every girl entering grade nine money to buy a bicycle for travelling to school. Economists, including Nishith Prakash, studied the results for many years. According to a summary published by Northeastern University:

• Girls’ enrolment in secondary school rose by about 32%, and the gender gap in enrolment fell by about 40%.
• The number of girls sitting the high-stakes secondary school certificate exam rose by about 18%.
• The number of girls who graduated rose by about 12% between 2006 and 2010.
• A survey in 2016 found that beneficiaries were more likely to complete their education, to look for jobs outside agriculture and to delay marriage.

The situation in Bangladesh

In The Daily Star in April 2026, Nazma Sultana writes that long distances to school and workplaces push some girls out of education in Bangladesh, and that a lack of safe cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated lanes and lighting, holds many women back. She reports a figure from Zambia, where girls with bicycles had about 22% less sexual harassment on the way to school, and she calls on government, the private sector, especially the garment industry, and development organisations to subsidise bicycles, build safe lanes and run awareness campaigns.

What a bicycle alone cannot do

• A bicycle does not help if a girl cannot ride. Learning is part of the solution, which is why programmes that give bicycles also need teaching.
• A bicycle does not help if the road is unsafe or social pressure is strong. Safe routes, lighting and community support all matter.
• A bicycle does not help if it breaks and cannot be repaired. Basic maintenance skills and local mechanics are important.

What Girls On Gears does

• We teach girls and women of every age, in small groups, with women instructors.
• We lend bicycles to learners who do not own one, so that cost is never the first barrier.
• We teach basic bicycle care and road safety, so that riders can keep riding.
• We share what we know here, free of charge, for families and schools.

How you can help

• Talk to your school or community about safe bicycle parking and quiet routes.
• Donate a bicycle you no longer use, or support our bicycle library.
• Encourage a girl you know to learn, and offer to ride with her.
• Share this article.