Showcasing Cycling UK Scotland
We’re high on election fever here in Scotland at the moment, with the Holyrood elections just six weeks away. It’s a critical time to get the active travel message across to our political candidates, so my right arm is suffering from election hustings related Twitter fatigue and my back is sore from carrying my own bodyweight in We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote postcards around. The issues are so vital that there is no time off because everything presents an opportunity to talk about the benefits of active travel.
Not everyone is filled with our zeal unfortunately, and my husband was less than impressed that I packed our son off to his pre-school photo in a Pedal on Parliament T-shirt to try and subliminally influence the photographer. It’s an exciting time, but I’m starting to look forward a couple of months, to a time when I don’t feel compelled to talk to all the politicians on our High Street. Not least because it’s taking an age just get to the Co-op..
Women and Cycling Conference
Come May and election day I’ll be out and about, sharing some of the great work we’re doing in Scotland. My first stop is in Hereford, where you’ll find me at the Women and Cycling Conference on the 4 May. I’ll be talking about what Cycling UK in Scotland are doing to support women to get cycling through the Belles on Bikes network.
Alongside Sally Hinchcliffe I’ll also be speaking about how we are changing the narrative around women and cycling in the Women’s Cycle Forum and how we’ve led the collaborative cycle campaign #walkcyclevote. The Women and Cycling Conference will be a great opportunity to meet, share ideas and aspirations with other women in the cycling sector so get your ticket booked!
Sit Less, Get Active
You’ll also be able to catch some of our projects online in May as we’re delighted that the University of Edinburgh Sit Less, Get Active MOOC will be featuring Cycling UK projects Play on Pedals and Edinburgh ABC in the course materials. The course starts in mid-May, so you can still sign up and join the thousands of people across the world interested in becoming more active! The course is free and accessible, suitable for both the general public and health professionals and will feature Cycling Surgeon, Prof Chris Oliver.
Cycle Touring Festival
The inaugural Cycle Touring Festival was the highlight of my cycling year in 2015 and I’m thrilled that the organisers have invited me back to speak again. This year I’ll be hosting a session on family cycling, talking about my family’s first tour on wheels last year, as well as encouraging people to join the Cycling UK family. The Festival is a great value weekend, organised entirely by volunteers, and is based in Clitheroe, a great place to cycle if you stay on for the rest of the bank holiday weekend. The speaker line up is looking fantastic, including adventurers Sarah Outen and Andrew Sykes.
You’ll find me safely back in Scotland in June, with a full line up of events at the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Keep up to date with Cycling UK activities in Scotland:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CyclingukScotland
Twitter @CTC_Scot
