Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling throughout July 2017
In the UK, more men cycle than women and Cycling UK would like to address this gender imbalance, as in Holland, more women cycle than men.
Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling aims to inspire more women to ride bikes for their mental and physical wellbeing, as well as for fresh air, friendship and fun.
The series of rides will take place across the UK, with many of Cycling UK’s 200-plus groups and 800-plus affiliated cycling clubs putting on female-specific rides.
Cycling UK will be supporting this programme of rides by providing insurance and a range of resources such as special features, articles, marketing materials, event registration, competitions, promotions and more.
Julie Rand, Women’s Festival of Cycling Coordinator, said:
“We want to encourage women of all ages and abilities to cycle, and we believe the Women’s Festival of Cycling is a chance to bring together some of the most inspirational groups and individuals across the UK to reach out to the growing number of women who enjoy cycling or want to start.
“It’s fantastic that more women are joining Cycling UK every year, and it is our aspiration to have an equal gender split.”
Calling all female cyclists to get involved!
Cycling UK is calling on all female cyclists to get involved. Whether you organise or join in a group cycle ride, or just phone a friend or two and ask them to dig their bikes out and go for a picnic, you can be part of this exciting new event this July. If you’re part of a Cycling UK group, just register your female-friendly rides on our website whether they’re 5 miles or 500 miles, on or off-road, and, in return, we’ll support you with a whole load of resources and goodies to help make them go with a swing!
Register rides and find out more at: www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestivalofcycling
100 Women in Cycling
As part of the build-up to the festival, Cycling UK will be profiling many women riders and supporters of cycling, both within and outside the charity, who inspire others to take up the activity. 100 Women in Cycling will include women who may not be well known by the world at large but who deserve recognition for their achievements.
You can nominate someone for the 100 Women in Cycling list via www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestivalofcycling
Notes to editors
1. For more information: https://www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestivalofcycling
2. 25% of Cycling UK members are female.
3. Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
4. In 2007, Cycling UK held a similar festival called Five Miles to Fabulous; this initiative encouraged many female cycling clubs and groups to form. Chester Fabulous Ladies is just one of the thriving groups which was set up as a result of this initiative. To find out more, see: https://www.cyclinguk.org/case-study/chester-fabulous-ladies-getting-women-cycling
5. Cycling UK will be using the following hashtag to promote our Women’s Festival of Cycling: #sheiscyclinguk
6. Do men cycle more than women? According to research by Cycling UK’s policy team, the answer is ‘yes’.
Statistics for England show:
• In 2015, males (of all ages) made just under three times as many cycle trips as females (25 as opposed to nine);
• Males also cycled around four times as many miles (86 as opposed to 21 for females) (NTS 0605);
• Men are more likely to cycle to work than women. In 2011: 3.9% of male workers cycled to work compared with 1.6% of female workers in England and Wales (CensusEW); while 2.1% of male workers cycled to work compared with 0.6% of female workers in Scotland (CensusS, Table DC7101SC).
Press contact information
Cycling UK Press Office
Email: publicity@cyclinguk.org
Telephone: 0844-736-8453
