'My ride. Our right' glow rides: FAQ
Contents
- What are the glow rides about?
- What's the date for the glow rides?
- What time will the rides be?
- How do I find out if there's a ride near me?
- Who can join the rides?
- Is Cycling UK organising the glow rides?
- What support is available?
- How do I start organising a mass ride?
- Is there insurance available?
- Is there any funding or materials available?
- Can I have a chat with someone about my ride plans?
What are the glow rides about?
Women should have the right to move around the streets with confidence.
Sadly, when the evenings get darker, many women put their bikes away. Others feel forced to choose between cycling on a busy main road or a dark isolated cycle path.
This doesn’t feel right. There should be a route that feels safe and welcoming.
Mass glow rides are a powerful way to demonstrate that there are lots of us who want to cycle all year round. We come in all different shapes, sizes and ages, but we’re united by our desire to be able to travel freely.
On the evening of 22 October, cities and towns across the UK will come alive with vibrant mass glow rides.
It’s our ride. It’s our right. Will you be part of it?
What’s the date for the glow rides?
The main night of action will be Wednesday 22 October.
By having multiple rides on or around the same day across the UK, we can have a bigger impact.
Some groups might choose to do a ride on another day close to that date, which is fine.
We’d love to gather photos and stories from as many rides as possible during that week so we can include them in a national story the weekend of 25 October, when the clocks go back.
What time will the rides be?
We’re suggesting groups organise their rides in the evening once it’s dark, as personal safety after dark is a big topic when the clocks go back in October.
How do I find out if there’s a ride near me?
Use our glow rides map to find your nearest event.
No rides near you? Why not organise your own using our step-by-step guide?
If you’re planning a ride, please register it so we can help promote it.
Who can join the rides?
Most rides are open to all. While they are led by women and the demands of our ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign, anyone who wants to take part and support the cause of enabling more women to cycle can come along.
A few groups have decided to organise women-only rides - you can check the details for your nearest ride using the glow rides map.
Is Cycling UK organising the glow rides?
We decided to support campaigners and groups to organise their own rides, rather than planning one big one ourselves.
We feel this will have a more widespread impact across the UK with lots of rides happening at the same time, spreading the campaign messages further. It also means your local politicians will see that this matters in your town.
What support is available?
We’ve created a comprehensive guide to organising a mass ride, to help you get started.
Join our online discussion session on 16 September to chat with other groups organising rides and share ideas. There are also recordings of previous webinars where groups shared their advice for organising mass rides.
On the glow rides resources page, you'll find a template risk assessment, press note, editable poster and flyer designs, and social media graphics, as well as lots of useful advice. Keep an eye out for some eye-catching materials like flags and banners coming soon.
If you register your ride, you'll feature on our glow rides map and we’ll promote your ride to nearby Cycling UK members.
How do I start organising a mass ride?
First time organising a mass ride? Take a look at our step-by-step guide to get you started.
Feel free to get in touch with our campaigns team via [email protected] if you'd like some advice or a chat.
Is there insurance available?
Yes, insurance will be available for those who want it.
This will be on a similar basis to our special event insurance for Bike Week events, where groups who register their events can benefit from ride and event organiser insurance.
Register your glow ride to make sure you are eligible for insurance cover.
Is there any funding or materials available?
Unfortunately we don’t have direct funding available for groups to organise their own rides.
However, we will have free materials available for groups to use:
- Templates for social media posts, flyers and press releases
- Risk assessment template
- Materials including flags and banners to help your ride have a visual impact
If you register your ride, we'll be in touch to let you know when these are available.
Can I have a chat with someone about my ride?
Looking for support with organising your mass ride, or just want to bounce some ideas?
You can link up with other ride organisers and get ideas at our online discussion on Tuesday 16 September.
You can also get in touch with our campaigns team via [email protected]
The glow rides are kindly supported by KNOG
