Our innovative cycling initiative equipping women with the skill and confidence to cycle to work has won top prize at the Northern Ireland Road Safety Awards.
Dianne Whyte and Kieran Coyle, Leading The Way Active Travel Officers, pictured at the Northern Ireland Road Safety awards. Credit: Sustrans
The Women Into Cycling course was developed in response to the Bike Life report in 2019 [1] which found that four times as many men cycled in Belfast as women.
It is now delivered through the Leading The Way workplace programme which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and focuses on staff at some of the biggest public sector employers, including councils and health trusts in Belfast and the North West.
In just the last two years, nearly 200 women have completed the course which was devised and is mainly delivered by women.
Training and maintenance skills
It runs over six weeks (one two-hour session per week) and includes Bikeability National Standard on-road cycle training; led rides; choosing the right bike including e-bikes and folding bikes; basic maintenance skills; route planning; the Highway Code; bike security; and advice on clothing and accessories including bike lights, with an emphasis on being visible to other road-users.
Dianne Whyte, Belfast Leading The Way officer, said: “Women prefer traffic-free routes such as greenways and are less willing to be “brave” on our roads. In the absence of safe cycle infrastructure, women need a lot more support to cycle to work.”
Kieran Coyle, North West Leading The Way officer, added: “We know there are more barriers to women cycling to work such as lack of confidence on the road and concerns about road safety.”
Gender breakdown of statistics
Just 35% of Belfast residents think cycling is safe to do in their local area – in terms of gender this breaks down to just 31% of women think it is safe to cycle, compared to 39% of men. [2]
The Women Into Cycling course has seen 179 participants attend 20 courses in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry over the past two years.
Compared to 2019’s report there has been an increase in the number of women cycling – 7% of women compared to 16% of men – so it has shifted from four times as many men to just double. [3]
Dianne Whyte and Kieran Coyle, Active Travel Officers (centre), receiving their award for the Two Wheels Category at the 10th annual Road Safety Awards. Also included are representatives of event organisers Road Safe NI and CRASH Services and compere Frank Mitchell. Credit: Road Safe NI
Many women now feel safer cycling on road
Many of these women are now cycling commuters who feel and behave more safely on the road having completed the Women Into Cycling programme.
The testimonies from participants speak for themselves. Sinead from Belfast said: “I’m 100% more confident when cycling, not only on pathways but riding with other road users, which I never would have considered before.”
Madhuri said: “It doesn’t matter how much experience you think you might have, I guarantee you learn a whole lot more, such as how to plan your route and even take care of your bicycle. It was so enlightening and I’m forever grateful.”
Ann from Derry~Londonderry said: “I was extremely nervous about participating in the course as I hadn’t been on a bike in 30 years…The course has been a great experience. l have gained so much knowledge about cycling, safety, and mechanics of the bike.”
Inclusive Cycling Report UK
Sustrans’ Inclusive Cycling Report for the UK found that 36% of women who do not cycle would like to start – showing there is huge potential, and the benefits to their health, the environment and the economy are massive.
The Women Into Cycling course in Northern Ireland shows that with proper support, women can be safer cycling on our roads, and we all reap the benefits.
[1] Bike Life Belfast 2019, published by Sustrans in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure
[2] Sustrans Walking & Cycling Index, Belfast 2023 (formerly Bike Life)
[3] Walking & Cycling Index Belfast 2023 report
Leading The Way is funded by the Public Health Agency and is open to staff from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the Public Health Agency, the Department for Infrastructure, Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, BSO, and Ulster University (Belfast).
Find out what else we do in our work in Northern Ireland.
