Making learning how to cycle more inclusive
There’s plenty of ‘hidden’ people who don’t know how to ride a bike, for cultural or age reasons. That’s why a group of seven of us trained over the last two weekends to teach beginners cycling in non-traffic scenarios. We had some indoor classroom sessions, and some outdoor times on our bikes. To make it inclusive to Muslim participants, the Islamic prayer times were scheduled into the day. We all passed the two test lessons we had to plan and deliver, (I had to teach how to turn corners, and how to move your body around on the bike increasing your ‘cone of movement’ without falling off!), and enjoyed being the ‘learners’ for everyone else’s turns. It was good fun and good exercise! There was one part that we all struggled with, when trying to dismount smoothly. We really felt how our learners may feel when we teach – tired and struggling – a good thing for us to realise!
Once we’ve completed our online modules and first aid qualification we will be British Cycling Level 1 Coaches. This is part of British Cycling’s Ignite program, trying to increase inclusion and help more women into cycling. Once women can ride bicycles, they can join British Cycling Breeze rides, which are social rides of an hour or two and includes roads and cycle paths. The first cohort of Breeze champions in Gloucester were trained up late last year and led some rides to Alney Island, Barnwood Arbretum and the Gloucester Canal Path this year.
It is likely the Friendship Cafe will advertise some beginners lessons just for women early in 2023, and if you sign up you may get some of us as coaches!
Henrietta Cozens
