Manchester gears up for Women on Wheels

WOMEN across the region are being urged to get on their bikes in time for this year’s Women on Wheels campaign.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) month-long cycling celebration is set to take place throughout March with events aimed at encouraging beginners to give cycling a go and existing cyclists to cycle more often.

TfGM head of logistics, environment and active travel Helen Smith said: “Previous Women on Wheels events have proven to be extremely popular, with hundreds of people signing up for over 60 events across the region last year, and we want to build on that success in 2017.”

With men outnumbering women four to one in the UK for cycling to work, TfGM launched Women on Wheels 2017 to help narrow the gap.

Helen added: “Getting people cycling also helps them to live happier, longer and healthier lives and makes our towns and cities nicer places to live as well.”

Until mid-February, TfGM will be offering Greater Manchester cycle clubs, groups and organisations the chance to apply for funding towards events and activities that will encourage more women to take up and enjoy cycling.

Avid cyclist Ann Butler helped organise an event for women’s cycling group Burnden Belles last year.

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’d learned.”