Stylish women will pedal through Edinburgh in a parade of fashionable clothing to encourage more women onto their bikes.
Dozens of fashion-conscious cyclists are expected to join the colourful ride along the city's cycle routes dressed in their favourite outfits.
Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, has organised the one-off event as part of its year-long campaign to get women cycling.
Gina Alcock, Sustrans Events Officer in Scotland, said: "We're really keen to show that whether by wearing heels, your favourite skirt or by putting flowers in your hair,
cycling can be beautiful.
"Many of us girls tend to worry that by pedalling to work, to the shops or to see friends we'll arrive in a mess, but that's hardly ever the case. Cycling is one of the easiest ways to get fit and feel good - and there is no need to compensate on style."
Men are also invited to join the ride, which starts at Haymarket Yards, next to Haymarket Rail Station, on May 31st at 12pm.
It will last about one and a half hours along National Cycle
Network routes to the north of the city centre. There will be prizes for the most glamorous riders and also a ‘Bling Your Bike' competition to find the most dressed up bike.
Sustrans launched its campaign to get more women cycling in March including a new website www.bikebelles.org.uk with practical advice on how to get cycling. The campaign follows research showing that men are three times more likely to cycle than women.
Riders can simply turn up on the day or sign up in advance by calling Gina Alcock on 0131 523 0196 or emailing [email protected]
About Sustrans
- Sustrans is the UK's leading
sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people
choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.
It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the
UK's transport challenges. - Sustrans' flagship project,
the National Cycle Network, is now around 12,000 miles and runs within
one mile of over half the UK population. During 2007 over 354 million
trips were made on the Network. There are around 2,500 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network. - In Scotland, around 2,000 miles of route are now open.
- Throughout 2009 Sustrans is encouraging more women to cycle. Our website www.bikebelles.org.uk has advice for women on what to wear, where to go, how to get started
and a specially recruited women's panel are sharing ideas and
experiences. The thoughts and concerns of women, gathered throughout
the year, will be used to inform our approach to UK governments with
proposals on how to help more women get out and about on bikes, to the
benefit of their health, the environment and our economy.
Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, working on practical
projects so people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. The charity is behind the award winning National Cycle Network, Connect2, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It, TravelSmart, Active Travel and Liveable Neighbourhoods, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time.