Riding on to great things in Hyde

A GROUP of women with little or no experience of riding a bike have taken to two wheels after being supported into cycling.

Tameside Youth Service facilitated the cycling and learn to cycle sessions after members of Hyde Women’s Group expressed an interest.

The group have been accessing Bennett Street Youth and Community Centre, supported by the Youth Service, for about 10 years, taking part in activities including badminton, ball games and ESOL classes.

Members were interested in taking up cycling, so the Youth Service set to work to help them, organising funding through Cycling UK and the Big Bike Revival project and providing a variety of bicycles to enable everyone to get involved, as well as two staff members to deliver sessions.

A total of 23 members of the group took part, with some riding for the first time and two women learning to ride completely within two weeks.

And the take-up has been hailed as a great success.

Tameside Council’s deputy executive leader, Cllr Bill Fairfoull, who has responsibility for children and families including Tameside Youth Service, said: “I’m delighted that our Youth Service has enabled members of Hyde Women’s Group to get involved in cycling and for some of them to learn to cycle.

“These skills will stay with them and it’s great that they’re keen to continue the sessions.”

The Youth Service have agreed that it was a positive experience for the group and they will further support them in accessing additional funding for sessions.

Tameside Council’s executive member for planning, transport and connectivity, Cllr Jan Jackson also highlighted to sessions could have a beneficial impact on the environment.

She added: “It’s fantastic that these sessions have enabled more women to get involved in cycling.

“Cycling helps people keep fit and active and is beneficial for both physical and mental health.

“It’s also a sustainable way to travel, reducing congestion and improving air quality to help the environment.”