AusLeisure

The Bicycle Network has announced a bold new initiative to increase female participation in cycling.

Through skills sessions, an education program and a women’s-only mass participation event, Bicycle Network’s The Ascent will address the barriers preventing women from enjoying the health benefits of bike riding.

In Australia, only one in three bike riders are women. Across Bicycle Network’s events, this proportion is even less, with women making up just 21% of participants.

Bicycle Network spokesperson Anthea Hargreaves said the gender imbalance in bike riding is a serious concern and through The Ascent, Bicycle Network is taking a proactive approach to address the problem.

Hargreaves explains “Two-thirds of Australians don’t get enough physical activity, and this is worse for women.

“We need to find a way to get women on bikes and we’re going to start with our events.

“We wrongly thought we could reach equality by providing the same opportunities for both sexes. But we’ve realised that you can’t correct imbalance through balance.

“As one of Australia’s leading providers of bike events, it was time we took a stand to correct the imbalance and run an event that favours women.”

With the support of ambassadors and an online library of resources, The Ascent will include a series of free skill sessions, welcoming weekly training rides and demo days, building towards a fully-supported, women’s-only 100 kilometre ride in April 2016.

Hargreaves said that from route selection to traffic management and on-road support, The Ascent ride will remove barriers for those women who are new riders or keen to get back into road riding.

She added “through The Ascent, we will create an environment where women are empowered with the confidence, skills and support they need to tackle a challenge ride, while most importantly, having fun.

“This is a massive moment where women of all ages and abilities will come together and demonstrate that equality in bike riding can be achieved.”

For more information, visit www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/the-ascent

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