Young mums on bikes: Blackpool Connexions Futures Project 20/05/2010

Statistics show that teenage girls are one of the groups least likely to choose cycling as a means of transport, sport or recreation.  One of the aims of Bike Club is to try and tackle this issue and get more girls on bikes with all the benefits for their health and general freedom to travel around.

One of the groups I have been working very closely with is Blackpool Connexions and their group of teenage mums who are on a five week Futures course aimed at addressing their employability and motivation.  As part of the project volunteers look after the girls’ babies whilst they take part in selected activities.

As part of their aim to get fitter and therefore increase confidence and motivation they are going to embark on a series of bike rides.  The first one took place today.  Setting off from Holy Trinity in the South Shore area the aim was to ride to Fairhaven Lake at St Annes, stop at a café and then return to Blackpool, a distance of about ten miles.  It was an absolutely beautiful day and we were joined by two volunteers I have recruited.  They are both keen cyclists and were able to help in guiding the girls who had not been on bikes for some years.  The bikes were kindly lent to us by Cycle Blackpool.

We did some Bikeability Level 1 activities to reacquaint the girls with cycling.  This included showing them how to check their bikes before setting off and most importantly how to stop using both brakes rather than both feet!