Pedal Power (360G-SCVO-a133z00000LRaLCAA1)

Cycle Lessons - At present we offer 1-2-1 and group lessons (for up to 4 women) delivered at our premises (or parkland nearby) on our cycles, by fully trained and accredited instructors. We operate two days a week, with morning, afternoon and evening sessions. These are all led by volunteers and some paid sessional staff. We want to increase the number of days, times, instructors offered for these sessions so that we can accommodate as many women as possible as the two days currently offered are not suitable for all. We operate a ‘pay as you can’ model so that cost is not a barrier and the revenue generated will help facilitate lessons for those unable to pay.Led Rides - We provide rides for varying lengths and pace (for up to 8 women) to help riders gain (or regain) confidence in cycling around the city. These rides take an instructional and a social focus, nurturing the enjoyment of cycling as well as the acquisition of necessary cycling skills. At present these sessions are offered two days a week as above and we want to open this up further so that more women can take advantage of our services.Bike Maintenance Classes – We offer these monthly for up to 8 women which are led by fully trained and experienced mechanics, to teach riders how to maintain and care for their bikes, covering topics from roadside repairs such as punctures right through to servicing a bike. Thus far, we have delivered two sessions and can continue providing one session per month by volunteers. We want to increase this to weekly sessions as previous sessions have been booked out within hours of going live. Demand is high and many women have expressed a strong desire to acquire these skills so that they can feel confident when out riding their bike, safe in the knowledge that should they be faced with a bike repair, they would be well-equipped to deal with it independently without having to rely on the mercy of others. We would like to be in a position to offer these sessions in a dedicated workshop space to facilitate greater ease for participants and instructors alike.Bike Loans - We want to launch a ‘bike lending library’ so that we can provide a bike and all related accessories for short-term loan, thereby removing the very significant barrier of transport cost. We will offer a bike and accessories (including helmet, lights, lock, panniers and waterproofs) for up to a month, to trial whether cycling will fit into a client’s lifestyle so that they can make an informed decision before they purchase a bike. At the end of this loan period we would encourage and support women to repair an old bike they may own/acquire with the skills they will have picked up through attending our maintenance classes; to purchase their own bike but we would guide them to opt for a refurbished bike or a new one; a third option would be to register for Glasgow wide bike hire scheme.Bike-Buddy Support – We want to provide support so that women feel able to start travelling from A (home) to B (regular place of work). This support would also include learning and actively practising route planning, map reading and relevant cycling Apps for planning/navigating journeys. Additionally, we would give advice on bike storage solutions as this is a very real barrier particularly for many who live in tenement flats. When a client is ready and able we want to support them in purchasing a bike which is suited to them and advise them on what things they need to consider when making their choice of bike. As an extension of this, we would also advise them on suitable clothing which will help keep them comfortable, dry and above all visible to other road users. Social Event programme:Yearly Cycling Festival in Queens Park to engage with women and their families who are not already aware of Women on Wheels and their services Monthly film nights of inspirational women cyclists. Social Coffee drop in - these will be designed to encourage those on the fence about cycling to pop into chat with staff and volunteers and hopefully alleviate their barriers to get started with cycling.Regular speaker event programme - these will be held throughout the year and will include pioneering, inspirational females who have reduced barriers and increased diversity in cycling for women e.g Aneela McKenna of Mor Diversity.Health and wellbeing events - offering yoga, mindfulness and nutritious food (as well as cycling activities)These events will promote community connections and the social benefits of being part of our hub and particularly focus those on the fence about cycling. In this setting, our clients will be able to relax, enjoy themselves and establish new relationships whilst nurturing existing ones as well as supporting each other in our love for all things cycling. We would also invite other organisations to encourage collaboration and a greater sense of community.These activities are innovative and creative because we will be providing a unique, comprehensive support package designed and led by women which up until now, has not been offered by any other service provider . This package is tailored to help women of all backgrounds to not only overcome the many barriers they face, but to provide continued support, vital to keep them cycling. The activities detailed above do not simply have a practical function but they also nurture a strong sense of peer support and community cohesion.As a cycling focused charity we will work in partnership with women’s community based groups to ensure we reach our target audience. Many of them will be referral partners to ensure we target the most vulnerable women. Not only will this get women cycling but it will offer pathways to volunteering, leadership and employment. This will embed legacy from the onset – ensuring we champion women to develop the skills and training they need to support themselves, their peers and reach more women in the future.Some of the groups we have already started developing partnerships with are:North Lanarkshire Mosque Masjid Al Farooq Pollokshields Development AgencyAl-Meezan unconstitued group of Muslim women in East Renfrewshire Glendale Women's cafe Saheliya South East Integration Network Feel Good Women’s GroupREACH Glasgow Science Centre Glasgow Women's Library Glasgow Central Mosque Glasgow Central Gurdwara We have consulted with and offered taster sessions for women in partnership with many of these groups and know they are keen to get active yet find building physical activity and exercise into their daily routine a real challenge. Cycling is a perfect activity to get into as it is a transport option, a social/recreational activity and a way to improve your fitness – all with little or no impact on your joints – ideal for those who have been inactive for a number of years. All of these in turn will lead towards alleviating transport poverty and providing pathways into freelance and paid employment. In our second year we plan to launch:Teens programme - we will develop a Teens programme using young role models and ambassadors at a pivotal point in young girls lives when many stop cycling due to peer pressure. We will also encourage them to take up cycling as a form of sport if so inclined and alleviate transport costs particularly for struggling families.Family programme - we understand with women come kids so we will have a programme of activities (e.g. mother and toddler sessions, families cycling events, activities for women and toddlers all the way to teens) to get the whole family cycling.Volunteer programme - we will offer volunteer opportunities to up-skill people to become qualified Ride Leaders, Cycle Trainers, First Aider and adept at bike maintenance. This training and support will give them the expertise and confidence to involve their own families and wider social circle in their own passion for all things cycling and ultimately will open up new avenues of employment for them as well.