Cycling UK launch Women's Festival of Cycling

To mark International Women's Day today (8 March), Cycling UK is launching its Women's Festival of Cycling. The festival will take place in July and will be a celebration of female-friendly leisure cycling, both on and off-road.

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

Source: Cycling UK