#AndSheCycles is a new Scotland-wide campaign encouraging more young women to cycle. Support, advice and equipment will empower them with the skills and knowledge to get active. #AndSheCycles was developed by Sustrans Scotland with a group of young women aged 13 to 18.
© Sustrans/Heehaw, all rights reserved
What is #AndSheCycles all about?
Only half as many young women aged 13 to 18 cycle to school, compared to young men of the same age.
The #AndSheCycles campaign wants to change this.
Developed with young women across Scotland, its aim is to empower young female cycling ambassadors in schools, colleges and youth groups to help get more young women cycling.
It's been inspired by the success of a similar scheme in Ireland and is funded by Transport Scotland.
The campaign includes the launch of the @and_she_cycles Instagram page.
Run by the young ambassadors themselves, this page is an important space for them to spread their messages in their own words and voices.
#AndSheCycles Instagram page
For all the latest updates from our young ambassadors.
Resources for teachers and youth leaders
#AndSheCycles will also work with teachers and youth leaders, building on the work of Sustrans I Bike programme.
A three part interactive workshop will help young women to shape and influence their own local #AndSheCycles campaign and action plan.
These sessions will be inclusive of trans and intersex young women, as well as non-binary and gender fluid young people who are comfortable in a space that is centred on the experience of young women.
There will be support, advice, equipment and up to £2,000 of funding available for groups of young women to enable them to develop and implement their action plans.
Find out how your school, college or youth group can get involved.
Self-esteem and independence
Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland, Lee Craigie, said:
“We need campaigns like this to allow girls the opportunity to show other girls that bikes are for them.
"You don’t need specialist equipment or huge muscles to ride one (although personally I think both these things are great!).
"Riding bikes usually results in an increase in self-esteem and happiness.
"It also offers an affordable, independent travel solution.
"Young women need these things in their lives."
#AndSheCycles will launch with a video ad campaign across Instagram and TikTok. © Sustrans/Heehaw, all rights reserved
Campaign launch
The #AndSheCycles campaign launches 21 October 2021, running into November when the COP26 climate change conference takes place in Glasgow.
Sustrans commissioned Edinburgh based communications and video specialists HeeHaw to produce the campaign.
The video's music is provided by Glaswegian band Bossy Love.
The campaign will run across Instagram and TikTok.
