CYCLING
The WOW factor
A new initiative has
been started by Ealing
Council to encourage
more women to cycle
and overcome perceived
barriers to taking to two
wheels – whether it is
having children, or just a
lack of know-how
or confidence.
Saredo Mohammed
T
he project is called Ealing
Women on Wheels, or
Ealing WOW for short.
Things got started over the
summer with several special events –
but it has not stopped there.
You can follow news of activities on
Twitter using the hashtag #Ealingwow
and visit www.ealing.gov.uk/wow to
get the latest information. You will
find opportunities to:
■ Get free cycle training
■ Ask questions about cycling and
have them answered by experts
■ Find out the latest about cycling events
■ Access offers and discounts for
cycle equipment.
Alternatively, you can email
[email protected] to find out
more and to sign up to receive email
updates with all the latest information.
By getting involved you will also
get the chance to benefit from free
bike maintenance, online bookings,
bike recycling, and much more.
‘IT IS FOR
WOMEN OF ALL
SHAPES AND SIZES’
Saredo Mohammed is 21 and
lives in Southall. She recently took up
cycling again and is encouraging other
women to do the same.
She said: “I have cycled since I was
a little girl but then I just stopped. But
I’ve now picked it back up again and I
have been spreading the word about
Women on Wheels and following
#Ealingwow for updates. It is for
women of all shapes, sizes and ages.
“My mood definitely improves when
I cycle, I’m happy that I’m not being
stuck on a bus or in a car or in traffic. I
definitely also feel more connected to the
community when I’m discovering lovely
parts of the borough whilst riding that I’d
never know existed otherwise. It is always
fun. I am currently saving up for a new bike
and can’t wait to start riding it to work.”
MUMS CARRYING PRECIOUS CARGO
Rachael Nolan, who lives in Hanwell,
was a keen cyclist and wanted to keep
it up when she had children. She said:
“It has been a bumpy ride.”
With the blessing of her midwife,
Rachael kept cycling when she was
pregnant with her second child: “This
wasn’t always looked upon favourably
46
around ealing
Autumn 2016