I was both delighted, and somewhat surprised, when I saw that Sustrans, the people who brought 12,000 miles of cyclng and walking routes to the United Kingdom, had just launched a new website aimed at encouraging women to cycle.

When I saw the figures outlining the percentage of women who cycle, I was rather surprised at how few actually cycled. Perhaps it’s because most of the ladies I meet are customers, that I find the figures so low? Perhaps I haven’t given a thought to how many potential cyclists are lurking out there?

Here are some of the report’s findings, see what you think.

It appears that the majority of women (79%) have a number of reasons why they won’t cycle; safety and lack of fitness or motivation are high on the list. Many women think that they are too old to cycle. This is interesting, because in the Netherlands women over 65 actually cycle further than the average 19 year old Britsh man. Sustrans believe that nearly half of the women who have a bike don’t use it, and one in ten who do cycle, cycle less than once a month.

According to the British Market Research Bureau, ladies aged between 35 and 44 are more likely to cycle, and in fact cycle 50 per cent more than women in the 15 to 24 age group. In the press release, Sustrans says: ‘With many women spending vast amounts of money trying to lose weight, it seems that we are rejecting the cheapest, most efficient way of reaching target weight and shaping up.’

Having read the press release, I’m left wondering if the situation is the same here? And if so what could be done to get more people to give cycling a try?

Have a look at the website: www.bikebelles.org.uk.

Braking (late) News

Lock it and Lose it
The London Cycling Campaign has managed to stop a law being passed, that would give council contractors the right to remove any bicycle chained to railings, whether abandoned or not. The London Cycling Campaign suggested that the question of where one could safely leave a bike would have a negative effect on potential cyclists.

Global Cycle now on line
You may remember the piece in Braking News a few weeks ago, in which I highlighted James Bowthorpe’s impending Around the World Cycle Ride. Bowthorpe hopes to beat the current record, set by Scotsman, Mark Beaumont and raise £1.8 million for research into Parkinson’s disease in the process. Log onto www.globalcycle.org.

Bell helmets launch new easy-fit helmet for kids
Bell helmets have just released a kids’ helmet that fits correctly almost straight from the box. The new ‘True- Fit’ helmets have self adjusting retention straps, which means that one quick adjustment is all that’s needed for a perfect fit. Far too often you see children and even adults wearing their helmet incorrectly, straps too loose or the helmet too far back on the head. An adult version of this helmet can’t come soon enough!

• Picture: One woman who is used to cycling is Stephanie Cowling who did a sponsored cycle ride from St Malo to Hossegor in August 2008 by cycling along the west coast of France

• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com/