Laois girls in a spin for national campaign

‘ON your bike’ is the mantra for a lively group of students in Mountmellick, who are ambassadors for the national #AndSheCycles campaign.

The Youth Reach students are breaking down barriers against female cycling, as they aim to ‘get more girls on bikes’ and to lead by example, in a bid to show that cycling is not only fun and liberating but also empowering.

Ambassadors from Mountmellick Youth Reach joined their counterparts from Edenderry at a specialist training day in Dublin's Sundrive Velodrome, as they gear up to bring their cycling advocacy to the next level.

The training day gave them a rare experience of track cycling, allowing them to develop their techniques and boost their knowledge. They also took part in a hands-on maintenance workshop with The Bike Hub, learning essential skills to keep their bikes roadworthy while also helping them to support others in overcoming barriers to cycling.

An initiative of An Taisce's Green-Schools, the #AndSheCycles campaign is dedicated to breaking down 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.

Campaign team lead Sarah Hegarty explained: “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.” 

Ambassadors from Mountmellick and other areas will take their new skills back to their schools, run workshops and events of their own and continue to advocate for change.