Ready, set, glas-go for cycle festival
A group of Glasgow-based cycling charities are teaming up for a festival launching today.
A group of Glasgow-based cycling charities are teaming up for a festival launching today.
The cycling events happening over the next four months start today, coinciding with the second leg of the first-ever Women's Tour of Scotland which passes through Glasgow.
It’s a festival aimed at getting women on their bikes, and Victoria Leiper from the organisation Bike for Good thinks it’s about time women’s cycling got as much attention as the men’s.
“When we heard about the Women’s Tour of Scotland we were really excited that women’s professional cycling was getting the same level of attention as men’s professional cycling.
“It’s really overdue and we really want to celebrate that.”
Events and activities are happening all month, which you can find on the ‘Aye Cycle Glasgow’ website.
Funded by Glasgow City Council’s Smarter Choices – Smarter Places fund, British Cycling, the Tampon Tax Community Fund, and Cycling UK, the organisations will partner up to deliver a series of events and initiatives over the coming months, all targeted at getting more women and girls on their bikes. A cross-section of community groups will be involved, as well as the existing and successful women only Glasgow Gals, Belles on Bikes and HSBC UK Breeze rides.
Initiatives will include free weekly led rides by experienced and enthusiastic leaders, as well as introductory sessions to track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX.
Other events include a speaker evening of three well-known and inspirational female cyclists, bike maintenance classes, yoga for cyclists, film nights and more.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander said: “Cycling is a fantastic way to keep fit –physically and mentally. I’m delighted to support the G-WOW festival in encouraging more women and girls across the city to get on their bikes and develop an appreciation of cycling. Events like the Women’s Tour of Scotland are a perfect platform to promote that cycling is for everyone.”
Victoria Leiper said: "In Glasgow, just 32% of those who choose to cycle as their regular mode of transport are women. The aim of this festival is to inspire and support more women to dig their bikes out and try cycling again.
“By offering fun and engaging activities as well as showcasing many of the existing opportunities for female cyclists, we hope that more women will see the benefits of riding a bike; whether this is to get from A-B, to meet new people or for health improvement."
Mel Toner, Participation Officer with Scottish Cycling, said: “We’re really excited to be part of this partnership to promote and support women and girls cycling in Glasgow. We want more women and girls involved in cycling at all levels and the Glasgow Women on Wheels festival brings together local and national organisations who share this aim, to celebrate and showcase women’s cycling and the variety that cycling has to offer.
“The Women’s Tour of Scotland is the perfect launchpad; shining a light on elite women’s racing, inspiring the next generation of female athletes and women and girls to ride a bike."