Cycling for women’s freedom

“I remember having an egg thrown at me. Nothing else happened, but it was very worrying.”

Caroline Russell, Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, was speaking at London Cycling Campaign’s Women’s Freedom Ride on Sunday 5 July. She talked about her experiences as a woman cycling in London.

She first came to the city in the 1980s and cycled everywhere; back then, she said, there were none of the many separated cycle paths we now enjoy.

Around 250 women and allies were gathered in front of the National Theatre on the Southbank listening to Caroline’s speech before heading off on a ride around central London ending at a newly created green space on the south side of the Strand, where we would stop for a picnic.

London Cycling Campaign’s Women’s Network has organised the ride for the past few years to highlight that women want the freedom to ride. The theme of this ride was a celebration of some remarkable women whose courage, determination and innovation have helped shape our society.

Safer cycling for all

Caroline spoke about the importance of making cycling safer for women, and how this ensures that cycling is more accessible for everyone: children, older riders, disabled people.

This aligns with Cycling UK’s own ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign with its aim to make cycling safer and, crucially, feel safer for women, making cycling better for everyone. So I went along for the ride. Rather than make my own way to the starting point I joined a feeder ride organised by the Newham branch of London Cycling Campaign.

These rides were taking place from all corners of London. It was a much better way of getting to central London than cycling on your own. More social and certainly easier than finding the way on my own. The one I joined was ably led by members of Newham CC and accompanied by music.

Cyclists had already started to gather when we arrived at the National Theatre. We had time to chat, apply sunscreen (it was very hot and sunny!), buy a coffee or enjoy some snacks. After Caroline Russell’s welcome speech, we heard from event organiser and ride leader Gonul, whose hard work in putting together such a great ride had really paid off. Then we set off.

The route, which was 7km through central London, was designed to take in statues of some remarkable women who continue to inspire future generations: the suffragettes Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst and Ada Lovelace, often considered the first computer programmer. We also cycled past such landmarks as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

Volunteer marshals and a mechanic kept everyone safe. It was no small task to keep that many riders together, on sometimes busy roads, and much thanks must go to the marshals and to Gonul. As well as to the London drivers who had to wait patiently for so many cyclists to make it through junctions and around roundabouts.

Handcycles to hybrids

Just about every type of bike was there: from handcycles and tandems, to hybrids and high-end road bikes, and even one chap on rollerblades. Kids and grandparents were riding, and everyone in between. At one point I found myself cycling next to a fluffy white cat: Sigrid and her human Travis, who you may know from social media, were there.

Caroline Russell also came along for the ride, as did a couple of LCC trustees. Many people had decorated their bikes. We were accompanied by cargo bikes blaring out music.

Some 250 mostly women cyclists taking over the streets of London was really quite the sight to see and I’m pleased to have been a part of it. This was a joyful ride with a serious message: that cycling should be safe, enjoyable and accessible for all riders and that making cycling better for women makes it better for everyone.

The ride happens every year and I’ll be joining the next one. What I’d really like, though, is for the next time to be about the simple joy of cycling, not having to fight for more women to feel like they can take up cycling.