A mix of smiles and pedalled miles made this year’s Women on Wheels celebration a huge success.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) month-long drive to encourage women to cycle saw hundreds of people across the region enjoying taster sessions at the Manchester Velodrome, beginner lessons in the spring sun, suffragette rides in Edwardian costume and maintenance training courses.

The campaign aimed to narrow the gap between the numbers of men and women who cycle. Statistics show men who take the bike to work outnumber women by four to one.

Some of the events were so popular they sold out almost immediately, including a session at Leverhulme Park in Bolton, which included a maintenance class, bike check and skills session.

Ann Butler is a keen cyclist who helped organise the Burnden Belles cycling event. She said: “The day was a huge success. We were inundated with ladies wanting to attend, some even buying their first bike, or replacing their old one, especially for the event.

“One lady had a mechanical fault with her bike whilst riding home and was able to fix it herself with what she had learnt.”

Katy Peet took part at an event at her workplace. She said: “Prior to the ‘Women on wheels’ event, I hadn’t been on my bike in years. After taking part in a bike ride with other female members of staff, I not only developed confidence cycling on the road but also remembered how enjoyable it is. I went out on a bike ride the following weekend and I have been going out cycling regularly since.”

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