How to encourage more women to cycle?

I'm Lewisham and you probably know me better as Jane!
It was interesting. No one thought the hair and makeup thing was an issue, to be honest. But that could be because it's not a particular priority for the kind of folks who go to cycling meetings. Except, I have discussed this issue with lots of women in different settings, and it has never been mentioned. Like I said before, there were different barriers for different groups of women, but every female non cyclist I've ever spoken to has mentioned fear of traffic as one of the barriers. I have "bike buddied" quite a few women on their first rides to work. Quite a few of them carried on and became confident cyclists. But a few of them gave up despite the support. Every one of those women said the traffic still scared them too much. I have always tried to help people find routes that avoid busy roads and junctions but if you live south of the river and work north of it, that's not really possible. So, I'm guessing, safe, proper cycle paths would have kept those women riding.
oh hi Jane! yes, perhaps it is a bit biased talking to people who both already cycle and are active in a cycling group but it sounds like you had an interesting discussion nonetheless.