Meet our groups: getting women refugees on bikes in Brighton

The Brighton Multicultural Women’s Cycle Club came about in 2021, during the Covid pandemic. At the time many provisions were shut and there was a need for exercise, fresh air and friendship.

Cicely Lloyd, a professional with more than 15 years’ experience in refugee support work and one of Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling in 2023, founded the club in response to requests to learn to ride from migrant women, something that they hadn’t had access to previously.

The BMWs began life as an outdoor ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and fitness opportunity. Cicely understands how opportunities like these extend a welcoming hand and address isolation and financial hardship and enable migrant women to integrate into their local communities.

I’ve made good friends, I’m heading towards gaining independence, commuting
Nigerian member

Today, the club provides a women-only inclusive safe space for peer support and empowerment.

From 22 sessions in its first year, the BMWs delivered 89 rides and events in 2025, with 101 women attending sessions. The number of individual attendances almost doubled from 350 in 2024 to 660 in 2025. There are 17 volunteer leaders, and a committee with roles like chair, treasurer and secretary ensuring the smooth running of the group.

Cycling UK trained a group of members as ride leaders in January 2025 and is looking to deliver similar in winter 2026. The organisation has also been able to buy the BMWs two step-through bikes, the style most accessible for the women to ride.

Making cycling easier

The group usually meets twice a week for a learn to ride and cycle skills training session at the outdoor velodrome and the surrounding Preston Park, and a gentle group ride from Brighton’s city centre, with bikes, helmets and bus tickets provided.

The bus tickets enable women to access the sessions by being able to travel for free from home to the start points. The cost is subsidised by the Brighton & Hove Bus Company.

I was nervous, with a knee replacement and restricted movement. Volunteers helped me overcome my fears; it’s given me so much confidence

Sri Lankan member

A lot of the women don’t have the financial means to own a bike, store it or be able to ride independently across the hilly city to join a BMW ride. The group has a fleet of bikes to loan out for rides and training sessions and provides long- and short-term loans of bikes.

New developments

Cicely’s paid role enables her to bring in additional funding and facilitate partnership working in addition to organising the regular training sessions, led rides and events. This gives her the time and scope to support growth of the club.

Funding from the city council allowed five members to train as Bikeability instructors. Alongside their continued volunteering with the club, they are delivering Bikeability in schools in Brighton and adult cycle training sessions through the Brighton Bike Hub. The council has also funded led rides for refugees.

The BMWs feels like home. helped me gain confidence on a bike and within myself. I feel so free! British Ghanaian member

The group has taken cycle confidence sessions to specific local communities as part of the Department for Transport ‘Move for Change’ programme, as well as joining other rides such as Kidical Mass, Rides for Refugees and Brighton Bike Tours.

The Bonfire Bike Train – a mass cycle ride with lit-up bikes from University of Sussex to Lewes Bonfire – took place on 5 November last year. It was a great success for the group. Other special events include an Eid picnic ride and a celebration cycle for Apple Day.

Future plans

But the BMWs aren’t resting on their successes, with plenty of plans in development. Cicely is researching funding opportunities to be able to continue in her parttime paid coordinator role which is so important for the organisation of the club’s activities, managing volunteers, returning data, promotion.

Amazing experience, riding in the street

Iraqi member

There are also plans to expand the club’s presence on Instagram and add another weekly cycle session to the timetable. They would like to progress women on from riding on traffic-free routes to being road ready and encourage more women to get their own bikes.

The club wants to support members to improve their skills and confidence to become volunteers and so share responsibility for organising activities and train as ride leaders. There is also the potential to work in partnership with the council to offer sessions in another park, if bike storage can be provided.

With a little help

Cicely and the BMWs couldn’t continue their great work without support and funding from a range of partners and organisations.

Funding from the National Lottery Communities Fund, which runs out in August 2026, supported a two-year paid coordinator role and funding for expenses. The Brighton & Hove Bus Company provides community fund and charity rate for bus day-passes.

Brighton & Hove City Council provided Bikeability instructor training for five members, as well as funding from a community engagement fund. Cycling UK offers membership, insurance, training courses and equipment, and officer support.

The group receives half-price refurbished bikes and free bike maintenance from Brighton Bike Hub and the use of the fleet of bikes for group rides from Brighton Bike Tours. Free storage space is provided by Rev Emma at St John’s Church, Preston, Brighton.