Longford students breaking down female cycling barriers
#Andshecycles Ambassadors Gear Up to Get more Girls on Bikes
Green-Schools #AndSheCycles ambassadors from Meán Scoil Mhuire, Longford attended a specialist training day recently at Dublin's Sundrive Velodrome, helping to take their cycling advocacy to the next level.
The training day gave ambassadors the unique experience of track cycling, allowing them to develop their riding techniques and boost their knowledge of all things cycling.
The cycling ambassadors also participated in a hands-on bike maintenance workshop with The Bike Hub, providing them with essential skills to keep their bikes roadworthy while also empowering them to support others in overcoming barriers to cycling.
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The #AndSheCycles campaign is an initiative of An Taisce's Green-Schools, and is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent teenage girls from cycling to school.
It aims to build a community of confident role models who can encourage and support others to get on their bikes.
By combining practical skills with leadership training, the ambassadors will be better equipped to challenge stereotypes, address accessibility issues, and create an inclusive cycling space.
Sarah Hegarty is the Team Lead on the #AndSheCycles campaign, "This training day is about giving our ambassadors the skills to lead by example, showing that cycling is not only fun and liberating, but also something that anyone can do with the right support."
Ambassadors will take their new skills back to their schools, run workshops and events of their own, and continue to advocate for change.
The students from Meán Scoil Mhuire were joined by Ambassadors from Coláiste Na Mí in Meath, Mountmellick & Edenderry Youthreach, St Louis in Monaghan, St Joseph's Tulla in Clare and Presentation College, Carlow.