London has been ranked the second-safest city in England for women exercising outdoors – even as many female runners say safety concerns continue to shape how and when they exercise.
A report by UK running brand Ronhill saw the capital placed just behind York as the second-best “freedom hub” in England, scoring 24.2 on the Outdoor Exercise Safety Index which compares female activity levels with local violence rates.
The findings revealed how women in urban spaces are determined to remain active, despite continued risks of harassment, and highlighted the role played by run clubs in creating safer running environments.
But a surge in participation sits alongside persistent concerns about safety in public spaces.
Amy Hubbuck, 31, a casual runner from West Wales, said: “I’ve had cars been their horns at me, shout insults out of their window, and even slowed down to the point they were driving alongside me running shouting derogatory insults and suggestions.
“It’s self-care and all about reclaiming my space. I decide my route, my pace, my time. That’s something nobody can, or will take away from me.”
While figures from the Office for National Statistics show an 8% increase in police-recorded sexual offences in 2025, research from the University of Manchester indicates that 95% of harassment incidents against women runners are never reported to police.
Because so few incidents are officially recorded, however, the data often hides the extensive precautions taken by women, including changing running routes, clothing, or exercise times.
Researchers describe this as a “safety tax” – the hidden effort women often undertake to manage risk, such as changing running routes, avoiding certain times of day, or altering clothing.
Office for National Statistics data also shows only 19% of women say they feel safe exercising outdoors, compared with 24% of men.
High crime-rates in major metropolitan centres like Manchester, and Birmingham are often influenced by large transient populations, millions of commuters, and tourists who are not reflected in resident population counts.
At the bottom of the Ronhill ranking were Middlesbrough and Blackpool, where lower activity levels combined with higher violence rates produced the weakest scores.
The findings come as running participation rises sharply across England.
Data from the Sport England Active Lives survey shows 349,000 people began running in the past year, with women accounting for 250,000 of those new runners.
Continued activity levels demonstrate the vital role of collective run clubs that aim to transform high-pressure urban environments into safe and inclusive spaces for exercise.
Malissa Hains, from Durham, utilised her local run club as a support mechanism following postpartum struggles.
She said: “My run club has given me structure, accountability, and a group of people who just get it.”
Feature image: Free to use from Fitsum Admasu/Unsplash
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