Eighty Perth women, trans, and non-binary people have learned how to ride a bike since Women on Wheels, an initiative by WestCycle, began in 2023.
WestCycle, a member of a national bike organisation that includes Bicycle Network, launched the program to encourage and inspire more women to ride.
The WOW introductory learn to ride program runs across four weekly workshops and teaches bike riding to students with no or little prior experience. Lessons include riding preparation, skills assessment and development, traffic awareness and basic bike maintenance. Bikes are provided. Students are taught by women in a judgment-free environment where there is no such thing as a silly question.
Women on Wheels and other similar programs in Australia such as Wheel Sisters (Merri-bek, Melbourne, pictured above) or Bicycle Network’s Mums on Bikes are key to empowering women, improving health and transport options, and providing sense of community.
Wheel Sisters was established when a group of women sought out Merri-bek Bicycle Users Group (BUG) and asked them to help set up a "hijabi riding group". The BUG applied to Merri-bek City Council for a community grant to create the first round of Wheel Sisters in July last year. Merri-bek now funds an additional 24 women to learn to ride in Fawkner and Glenroy. Almost 70 women registered their interest for the most recent round of 10 places, and there are waiting lists in both suburbs.
Bicycle Network runs a learn to ride program for migrant women at Wellsprings for Women community centre in Dandenong. Following their English classes at the centre, the women spend an hour or so in a nearby park mastering their balance and learning to manoeuvre bikes around its network of paths. Many of them don’t have cars or don’t drive. The program gives them a new sense of freedom and independence.
Bicycle Network also runs a Mums on Bikes program. Participants often have young children, so Bicycle Network arranges for a babysitter to be on the course while the mums hone their skills. Bikes and helmets are provided. The sessions create a safe space where the participants can be among other like-minded women.
Sources: ABC News
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