17/10/2026
Most of you know, it's me, Kelly, the "woman of the house" who writes everything here.
And you're possibly aware that Jason and I support a regular women's social ride together with Susan at Stronger State.
Supporting those rides is our own way of challenging the disparity in the numbers of men and women cycling, by increasing the confidence of women in their ability to ride the roads safely.
When planning our first women led Glow Ride, I had already been thinking about how to discuss safe cycling from an infrastructure POV when recent local events highlighted further the need for safer streets for women.
The biggest hurdle has been planning a route. I'd really have liked to have organised a super shiny ride on some of our best shared/cycle paths, but those are mostly in complete darkness, or very poorly maintained, or flanked by fast moving vehicles. A combination of some of the reasons we know women ride less.
Pedalling around some of our cycling 'network' last night, I rode envisaging that same ride with children in tow, because when I was a parent of a young child I wasn't a cyclist, and honestly, have been mostly ignorant to the additional worry cycling with little people brings.
After navigating all of the obstacles I encountered, I've drafted an email to our local Active Travel Co-ordinator, raising some of those difficulties and the planned route will be *traffic free* - because this is to be a fun event! And in the hope that riding together and the resultant discussion makes planning next year's ride a whole lot easier and it's invitation post features full on smiley faces!
So, dig out your brightest hi-vis, and bejewel yourself, your bike, the bairns, even your grandad in aaaall the lighty up lights and the highest hi-vis and join us for our first Cycling UK Glow Ride.
Because safer streets for women, mean safer streets for everyone!
📅 Thursday 22nd October
🗺️ Guthrie Port Benches - West Links - Guthrie Port Benches
🕕 6pm
👭 Women led
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Everyone welcome
