LGBTIQ+ Active Travel Seminar
15th October 2024
On Monday 30th September we held an LGBTIQ+ active travel seminar to complete our Go Cycle Fund project. Representatives from Dynamo CIC, Glasgow Inclusive Cycle Club, Sustrans, Cycling UK, Glasgow Eco Trust, Bike for Good, Scottish Cycling and Glasgow Life attended the event.
The event began with presentations from Dynamo CIC who had partnered with LEAP’s Get Out Glasgow project to deliver bike maintenance classes, a 6 week cycle confidence course and a 6 week cycling touring course which culminated in a trip to Arran where they circumnavigated the whole island in 2 days!
Glasgow Inclusive Cycle Club also presented highlights from their first year as a club where they completed 93 club rides and now have 89 active members.
Sustrans also presented some findings from a new report into LGBTQIA+ experiences of active travel which identified how barriers experienced by the rest of the population can be compounded by additional safety concerns regarding LGBTIQ+ phobia, however some feel safer cycling than using other modes of transport. Mental health and affordability were key drivers for LGBTIQ+ active travel.
Following the presentations other attendees were invited to share any relevant work. Cycling UK and Bike for Good mentioned their work to increase access to bikes, contact sustainabletravel@bikeforgood.org.uk for more information about Ebike and nextbike memberships. Glasgow Eco Trust mentioned their work on community led transport forums. Glasgow Life mentioned a new fund called Wheels in Motion targeted at young people and underrepresented groups which is due to be launched soon. Bike for Good also mentioned a ride they’ll be doing for Black History Month which will be LGBTIQ+ inclusive.
The discussion focused on barriers to cycling for LGBTIQ+ people, and opportunities to improve access to cycling. Key findings included the need to share our stories to increase LGBTIQ+ visibility in cycling. Others highlighted the importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusive spaces, social cycling groups and facilities such as gender neutral public toilets. Attendees commented on a lack of revenue funding for the sector which made it difficult to pay staff for their time, others felt that multi-year funding was needed. In order to create a more inclusive culture in cycling it’s important that clubs and training providers attend LGBTIQ+ inclusion training and use inclusive language. Others called for LGBTIQ+ specific training opportunities for those working in the cycling sector. Finally, the group felt that an LGBTIQ+ cycling sector network was needed to provide mentorship opportunities and social rides.
Thanks to the Go Cycle Fund for funding the Get Out Glasgow Cycling Project, to Scottish Cycling for hosting the seminar at the Emirates, and to Dynamo CIC, Glasgow Inclusive Cycle Club and Sustrans for some great presentations.
