It's been mentioned on another thread. (Various CCEers have already signed up)
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PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An event in Edinburgh next week will bring together female politicians, activists and members of the public together for ‘political speed dating’ with a difference.
On 11th November, Edinburgh Transport convenor Lesley Hinds, Co-Chair of the All-Party Cycling Group Alison Johnstone and Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat will take part in a Women’s Cycle Forum event at Edinburgh's City Chambers.
As part of a new joint campaign “We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote”, participants will discuss the potential for Scotland to transform its transport policy, prioritising active travel in order to improve health, wellbeing and the economy.
Even in Edinburgh, Scotland's most cycle friendly city, men are twice as likely as women to cycle, and rates of female participation in cycling are even lower elsewhere in Scotland. Recent research has shown that women cycling are more likely to encounter 'near misses'. By contrast, in nations where cycling is treated as a mainstream transport option, women actually cycle more than men.
In a response to overwhelming male dominance in UK transport policy, the Women’s Cycle Forum was founded in 2014, with the aim of ensuring that the voices of women and families are heard when vital decisions are made on the future of transport.
Forum founder Suzanne Forup said “The future shape of our streets - and our cities – is too important a subject to just leave to the boys to decide.”
Co-organiser of the Forum Sally Hinchliffe commented “This goes far beyond just cycling - it's about liveable cities, health, inequality and even happiness. Creating civilised streets benefits everyone.”
ENDS
= = = NOTES FOR EDITORS = = =
1. Cycling improves health and well-being and is a sociable, affordable way to get about. Over half of all journeys in the UK are less than 5 miles and many of these could easily be managed on a bicycle.
2. Women 50% more likely to experience 'near miss' events:
http://www.nearmiss.bike/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Nearmissreport-final-web-2.pdf
3. A recent report by Sustrans found that women are under represented in cycling in Edinburgh, and less than a quarter of residents thought it was a safe place for children to cycle:
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/default/files/bike_life_edinburgh_2015.pdf
4. The Women’s Cycle Forum Round Table takes place on Wednesday 11th November in Edinburgh City Chambers from 8pm. The event is free but places are limited: please register online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-walk-we-cycle-we-vote-womens-cycle-forum-tickets-19153626011
5. “We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote” is a joint campaign supported by major charities including CTC, Sustrans, Living Streets and many local groups throughout Scotland. The campaign aims to make the nation healthier, wealthier and happier, using the 2016 Holyrood elections to call for investment, infrastructure and safety for walking and cycling throughout Scotland. More about what we are asking for here: http://www.walkcyclevote.scot
= = = CONTACTS = = =
Suzanne Forup, Head of Development Scotland , CTC, the national cycling charity
Suzanne.forup@ctc.org.uk
Sally Hinchliffe, Organiser, Pedal on Parliament
sallyhinchcliffe@gmail.com
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