In Ireland, fewer than one in 250 girls cycle to school each day.

Why are young women avoiding the bike as a means of transport? Research undertaken by Green-Schools, including focus groups with secondary school students, revealed that notwithstanding the usual concerns facing every cyclist (lack of cycle lanes, safety concerns) young women were also dealing with a range of separate social issues. #andshecycles hopes to change and challenge these issues and perceptions through video, social media and continued liaison with students.

In 2019 Green-Schools worked with teenage girls to develop the #andshecycles campaign to shine a light on the barriers currently reducing the rate of girls choosing to cycle. The greatest success from the campaign launch was that it stirred up many necessary conversations around the social barriers which girls face in relation to cycling. #andshecycles is a national campaign that wants to help girls get back on their bikes while addressing some of the reasons they’re reluctant to in the first place.

Following the much anticipated #andshecycles launch event in Dublin in September 2019, the next phase of the campaign will take to the road with roadshow-style, regional events around the country. The #andshecycles Roadshow will be held in various towns and cities across Ireland between February and May 2020, including Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Galway City, Limerick City, Moanacurragh, Carlow and Cork City.

Green-Schools would like these events to give teenage girls a platform to speak about cycling experiences and attitudes, explore barriers and promote empowerment among young women who are cycling or want to cycle.
#andshecycles Roadshow events will be posted both on the Green-Schools Events page and on Eventbrite.

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