Kingston Council has been mocked on social media after suggesting that hundreds more e-bikes in the borough will help women fulfil their "traditional domestic responsibilities" and stay feeling "nice".

Kingston council put out the statement in an equality impact assessment for an expansion of 500 e-bikes in the borough.

The Lib Dem-led authority said: "Electric bikes may increase women's access to cycling and physical activity by making it easier for women to meet their traditional domestic responsibilities, as well as stay looking 'nice' on a bike."

The statement added: "E-bikes are also challenging sexism in cycling in important ways; making bike retail and repair environments more inclusive for women, challenging sexism in bike design and marketing and increasing women's sense of confidence and entitlement to occupy the road space.

"They are also opening up more empowering and enjoyable opportunities for physical activity to a wider group of women."

However, the stance outlined in the first paragraph triggered a backlash among local residents.

In a post on Facebook, one local commented: "Kingston Council E-Bike sexist horror.

"This is from the Equalities Impact Assessment for the move to increase to 500 ebikes across Kingston going to Place Committee,"

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"OMG.

"Weep, women of Kingston; weep!"

However, after the local uproar, the council launched an investigation into the issue and changed the wording which it says had been lifted from a peer reviewed academic paper.

The e-bike document now states in the first paragraph: "E-bikes may increase active travel amongst women as well as the wider population by for example enabling carrying of goods or shopping and allowing more complex trip chaining that people with caring responsibilities may face more regularly."

The council has also apologised for the original statement.

In correspondence to the woman who raised concerns about the statement, it said: "Further to my email earlier today, I am writing to share the findings of our investigation into how an outdated and inappropriate description of the benefits of cycling for women was included in the Equality Impact Assessment published as an annex to the E-Bikes Concession Contract report.

"Once again, thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.

"The description does not align with the council's commitments to fairness, inclusivity and protecting the rights of all women and girls.

"We would like to sincerely apologise for this error and for any offence caused."

Kingston Council added: "We are committed to fairness and equality of opportunity, working with communities and partners to ensure Kingston is a place where we celebrate diversity, tackle inequality and strive to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and heard."

In a statement on its website, the local authority explained how the error had happened.

The statement said: "From our investigations into how this happened we understand this description was a direct quote from a peer reviewed academic paper which was used as part of the research to inform the assessment.

"While the research quoted highlights how the availability of e-bikes is challenging sexism and making cycling more accessible for some women, we accept that using the quote, especially in isolation and without reference, is likely to cause offence, therefore it should never have been included in the EQIA (equality impact assessment)."

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