Sally Noonan GAICD’s Post

"To boost women’s cycling we must ALL become safe infrastructure advocates" Mark Sutton #cycling #cyclingcommunity #activetravel #transport #futuremobility #newmobility #transportinfrastructure #remodeling #builtenvironment #inclusion #accessibility #societalimpact #economicimpact #environmentalimpact #futurecities #PolicyShapesSociety #government #policymakers #leadership #advocacy #lobbying #infrastructureinvestment #behaviourchange #mindsetshift

This #InternationalWomensDay we caught up with Gail, who works at Warmley Wheelers, our community project that helps people with health conditions and supported needs to experience the joy of cycling. As well as her role at Warmley Wheelers, where she initially got involved as a volunteer, she works for British Cycling providing a range of support to their elite cyclists. She's also an accomplished distance cyclist herself. Last year Gail completed the incredible #TourDivide race, which stretches an astounding 2,745 miles between Alberta, Canada and the US/Mexico border. Gail is a passionate advocate for women taking up cycling. She says: "Young women tend to be protected more - they're not encouraged to go out on their own and do things that have some risk. Maybe we don't spend enough time as young women messing around and working out that it doesn't matter if you fail. That has a knock-on effect with cycling, where someone might not try it because they think they won't be good at it. But cycling has huge benefits for both physical and mental health." Whilst Gail enjoys pushing herself on endurance rides, something she loves about Warmley Wheelers is that it's open to all abilities. She says: "It’s not about going fast or being first. It’s more about the experience and the enjoyment of seeing what’s around you". Her message to women who might benefit from a session at Warmley Wheelers? "Even if you’re not sure if you want to ride, just come along and see what we’re about. It’s such a welcoming and approachable place. Why not try one of the bikes and find out if it's for you?" #IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay2024 #TeamMilestones #InspiringInclusion

Cycling UK's chief executive, Sarah Mitchell, featured in the Sunday Telegraph discussing the challenges women face when cycling in cities, following the findings of Swapfiets survey. The survey revealed yet again the reality that women face every day while cycling in cities. As the first female chief executive of Cycling UK, Sarah Mitchell takes the issue of women’s cycle safety very seriously. “To encourage more women to cycle, we need to continue to support work that creates a safer, more inclusive cycle culture in the UK. At Cycling UK, we’ve recognised and supported people that seek to build on this through our 100 Women in Cycling annual list, which highlights exceptional women and groups who encourage others to cycle. 2023 Community champions like Eilidh Murray have made incredible progress campaigning tirelessly for women’s cycle safety in their position as a trustee for the London Cycling Campaign and as the coordinator of its new Women’s Network.  “But more importantly, we must make sure that the responsibility does not lie solely with women. We need men to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of women cycling in cities. The fact that 62% of women fear cycling in urban areas because of road rage and harassment is a stark one. We need men to call out and report that behaviour when it happens and for those reports to be taken seriously. It’s unacceptable that women are almost twice as likely as male cyclists to face harassment or bad driving in London.”  Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/er_T8Naq 100 Women in Cycling annual list: https://lnkd.in/ehdbVYSz Community champion, Eilidh Murray: https://lnkd.in/eNaG4TcM London Cycling Campaign: https://lnkd.in/eUiuHnzX

Some important messages here - if you couldn't make the webinar there is a good summary article attached.

Happy World Bicycle Day! #worldbicycleday I remember when this date was declared by the UN in 2018: Many in-group cycling people where skeptical, "what is this? Does it even matter?" But in just a few years, this has become "a thing", to guide campaigning, inspire events and even create platforms for political signals. It is one of those examples of a small thing, that can become big if you have patience and do quote: "incremental nudging" - consistently promote cycling in a gentle but persistent manner. This approach helps raise awareness and encourages change. Hats of to Leszek Sibilski to create and push this initiative. Also a round of applause for Pinar Pinzuti for the interview and getting Leszek some recognition :-) https://lnkd.in/dujZWiYq

This is a fascinating article by Gloria Liu full of things I didn’t know. More women than ever are cycling, but ill-fitting equipment forces many to ride in pain. This piece captures the devastating consequences of concentrating decades of R&D on men. It highlights the women fighting a legacy of shame and silent suffering to bring about change. I suspect it’s an ad for Specialized Bicycle Components. If so, it’s a great one! #Cycling #WomensSport #Advertisingandmarketing https://lnkd.in/dRGsKibC

The Cycle to Work provides a way for employees to obtain bikes and cycling equipment through their employer, promoting both financial savings and improved physical fitness. However, does the current Cycle to Work Scheme need fixing? In tomorrow's interview Jonathan Harrison, the director of the Association of Cycle Traders, will provide invaluable insights into the flaws within the existing system, shedding light on how providers prioritise profits over fostering cycling development. Stay tuned and, as always, share your opinion in the comments below the video. #CycleToWork #EmployeeBenefits #CyclingScheme #FitnessMotivation #FinancialSavings #WorkplaceWellness #CycleToWorkScheme #CyclingEquipment #EmployeePerks #CyclingCommunity #HealthyLifestyle #EmployeeEngagement #SustainableTransport #BikeCommute #WorkLifeBalance #JonathanHarrison #AssociationOfCycleTraders #Interview #CyclingAdvocacy #CyclingDevelopment #EmployerInitiative #ShareYourOpinion

💡 Why is it important to start a cycling culture with small children?💡 A cycling culture should start with kids, allowing them to improve their health, social interaction, and learning process. However, Latin American cities have some barriers linked to insecure cycling infrastructure, road safety, and weak cycling habits. In this blog article, Amanda Padilla discusses how a cycling activity focused on small infants integrally addresses their well-being and harvests long-term positive impacts on society, the environment, and mobility. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exVqxATK #obesity #children #cyclingculture

Cycling Without Age (CWA) is a worldwide movement that aims to provide joy and vitality to older adults through the magic of the bicycle. Read my article to learn more about this movement and the new film that highlights how it brings people of all ages together for an unforgettable experience: https://lnkd.in/gv9DtxP6

💡 Why is it important to start a cycling culture with small children?💡 A cycling culture should start with kids, allowing them to improve their health, social interaction, and learning process. However, Latin American cities have some barriers linked to insecure cycling infrastructure, road safety, and weak cycling habits. In this blog article, Amanda Padilla discusses how a cycling activity focused on small infants integrally addresses their well-being and harvests long-term positive impacts on society, the environment, and mobility. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exVqxATK #obesity #children #cyclingculture