Creating Inclusive Cycling Communities
Community is at the heart of LUCA - and the community we are building gives us so much joy, and is integral to our brand. Passionate about getting more women into our favourite sport, it's been essential for us to bring women together for rides, events, workshops and more - to share our love of cycling, and to celebrate and empower women, on and off the bike. ❤️
Cycling itself has the potential to be one of the most accessible forms of exercise and transportation going. However, many still face barriers to fully enjoying, and making use of it. Whether it’s due to ability, background, or access, we are aware that more widely (and despite our efforts!), there are potential obstacles to prevent more women (and men!) from joining the cycling community.
There is good news, however. We can ALL help to create a cycling community that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or ability by bearing in mind a few simple and actionable steps.
1. Encourage and support new cyclists
If you’ve been cycling for a while, then you may have forgotten just how intimidating it can be for new riders to enter the cycling world. Thinking back, you’ll likely remember that your first few rides, your first few meets, your first few races, were probably gut-wrenchingly angsty.
This can be worse for those who don’t fit the 'mould' – those who aren’t naturally sporty or athletic, those whose wardrobe of choice may not necessarily by head to toe Lycra, or those who may struggle to keep up with everyone else. So, if you can, try taking the time to welcome and encourage beginners, especially those who might feel out of place. Offer a little advice and encouragement, and a lot of camaraderie, and you’ll go a long way towards removing any barriers of self doubt and unfamiliarity that might keep someone from joining the cycling community. Reach out to new members if you’re part of a cycling group and, if you can, encourage mentorships within your cycling community to help new cyclists to grow their confidence.
2. Make cycling spaces more accessible
Firstly, we need to ensure that cycling spaces are accessible to everyone. Many people with disabilities or limited mobility find it challenging to access certain bike paths, trails, or parking areas. As cyclists, we can advocate for local governments and city planners to improve the infrastructure to accommodate adaptive bikes, tricycles, and other specialized equipment.
A good place to start? By supporting local initiatives that aim to make bike lanes and paths more accessible. Engage with city councils to ensure that cycling infrastructure considers people of all abilities, such as providing wider lanes and safer crossings. The more inclusive our infrastructure becomes, the more welcoming cycling is for everyone.
3. Support Adaptive Cycling Programs
People with physical or mental disabilities or other chronic health concerns may feel excluded from the cycling community. This can be a matter of perspective. However, it may also be to a very real lack of adaptive options.
Happily for cycling communities in this day and age, there are plenty of adaptive cycling programs out there who promise to cater to cyclists with additional and often unique needs. We can all help by raising awareness and supporting these initiatives. Celebrate what’s out there, urge local communities to come up with more, offer your time as a volunteer or a little cash as a doner to local programs offering access to adaptive bikes (like handcycles, tandem bikes, or tricycles, designed for people with mobility challenges) … be the change that can welcome people in who might otherwise shrink from cycling.
4. Challenge your own assumptions
Often, it’s our own biases and assumptions about who ‘belongs’ in the cycling community that can be the biggest barrier to positive change.
Consider how societal stereotypes might have shaped your perception of who rides bikes. Are there individuals you might unconsciously overlook or assume wouldn’t be interested in cycling? We all know what we think of when we think of cyclists. However, that image needn’t be so fixed. Open up your preconceptions to include far more diversity.
Then, armed with the insights that this kind of introspection often allows us, go out and welcome all comers to the cycling community, no matter who they are, what they look like, or how ably they fit in at first.
