A WOMEN-only cycling group that aims to build up the confidence of road-shy cyclists around Warwick district will launch with its first ride next weekend.
Dawn Rahman of British Cycling will lead a leisurely-paced and traffic-free cycle along cycling paths and canals as part of a national campaign - Breeze - to get ladies back on the saddle.
Dawn, who lives in Warwick Gates, is the organisation’s recreation manager for the West Midlands, but she is giving up her free time to act as a ‘Breeze champion’ in the hope that more women will feel safer and happier about travelling by bicycle.
She said: “British Cycling research shows that three times more men than women cycle and it was keen to find out what the barriers are.
“A survey found that a lot of women are frightened to cycle on roads and do not know where to cycle.
“The idea of this campaign is to provide women with social rides, where everyone always goes at the pace of the slowest cyclist so you don’t have to maintain an average speed.”
She added: “They will be nice, leisurely rides and we will always stop for tea and cakes.”
There is no charge to take part in a Breeze ride, but participants must have their own bicycles which must be roadworthy.
Dawn is hoping to go on to develop a separate group for mothers with children, but for now is happy if any women want to bring along under-13s. The first ride will be a five-mile round trip from Warwick Gates to St Nicholas Park in Warwick on Saturday January 21.
From Warwick Courier