Sustrans, the charity that works to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for everyone, this week launched a partnership with Cycle Sisters Newham to inspire and support Muslim women to cycle.
To launch the partnership, an Eid Cycling Celebration was held at The View Tube community hub in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. More than 30 women joined the event with activities including a ‘learn to ride’ lesson, testing out the partnership’s new fleet of cycles and joining a led ride around the park.
Cycle Sisters is a charity that enables Muslim women to cycle in a culturally sensitive space and inspires Muslim women to start and continue cycling. The Cycle Sisters Newham team has eight Ride Leaders who lead rides specially customised for Muslim women’s needs. This can include advice on cycling in modest clothing, halal café stops and timings around prayers.
Thanks to the support of the LLDC (London Legacy Development Corporation, the organisation behind Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), Sustrans is working with Cycle Sisters to strengthen their work and enable positive change for Muslim women and the wider community. Plans over the next three months include:
· Setting up a FREE cycle loan scheme in partnership with View Tube Bikes;
· Training a Cycle Sister to become a cycle instructor with Cycle Confident and support them to deliver cycle skills sessions in Newham;
· Organise a led ride from Newham to the start of the Ride London FreeCycle mass bike ride on May 28th.
As part of the legacy for this project, Sustrans will work with several partners to increase accessibility to cycling for Muslim women. Sustrans will work with Newham Council and Cycle Confident and make cycle skills take-up easier, and with ViewTube Bikes to give women access to cycles.
Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham, said:
“Cycle Sisters Newham is such a ground-breaking and important project taking place here in Newham. The project inspires and enables Muslim women to cycle and I look forward to seeing this initiative grow as it inspires more women to join in and start cycling.”
Sarah Javaid, Programmes & Partnerships Lead for Cycle Sisters, said:
“It’s fantastic to see this infectious enthusiasm the event created, it really goes to show how much joy cycling can bring into our lives.”
James Cleeton, Sustrans London Director, said:
“At Sustrans we are committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that cycling is for everyone. We are delighted to partner with Cycle Sisters to increase access to cycling for Muslim women and the wider community.”
A Cycle Sisters Newham participant said:
“I love that we can explore east London! As a newbie, I’m feeling more and more confident on roads as I’ve never ventured out like this before.”
