In order to encourage female participation in cycling, community-led organisations have been key – providing women with a real voice and advocating for visibility in the sport. It’s needed, too; only one in four cyclists in Ireland are female, and fewer women today are getting on their bikes in comparison to 30 years ago.
It’s with this in mind that we’re putting the spotlight on Women’s Cycling Ireland, an association which acts as the central point of contact for the women’s cycling community here in Ireland. Their fantastic initiatives, events and advocates have been at the forefront of increasing female involvement in the world of cycling – and the movement is only getting bigger…
Tailored events
With a calendar packed full of exciting events for women of all ages and disciplines, cycling enthusiasts can find both recreational and competitive contests across the country to get involved in:
Women’s Corkagh Park Race Series 2022
Dublin’s Corkagh Park is the home of this premier summer evening race schedule, promising a sociable and active programme for those attending. Women of all abilities can learn new skills and push themselves to the limit without the worries of traffic, thanks to its purpose-built state-of-the-art cycling track.
With 14 races scheduled, the season will start on Tues, 1st June and end on Tues, 31st August. For more information and to book, contact junior.women@cyclingireland.ie
You can find the full 2022 calendar of events here.
Women’s Commission Bursary
For elite cyclists looking to partake in races abroad, the Women’s Commission Bursary can help out with the associated costs. The bursary opened for applications in January 2022, and will cease as soon as the fund has been exhausted.
For the full terms and conditions and guidance on how to make an application, visit the help site.
If you’re looking for some race inspiration, check out our interview with Imogen Cotter, the Irish Women’s Elite Road Race Champion, who reflects on her astonishing cycling achievements.
Advocates for Women’s Cycling
As part of the Women in Sport Campaign, advocates are chosen each year to represent their local community by sharing inspirational stories, promoting awareness of women and girls in cycling.
This year, Under 18s have been selected as advocates for the very first time, highlighting a real commitment to improving the participation of younger girls in cycling. There are a total of 10 advocates – including five u18s – who’ve been selected as representatives, and you can see the line-up here.
If you’d like to get in touch with any of the advocates, you can contact bikelikeme@cyclingireland.ie.
IT’S NOT A RACE*
This brand-new drive, which is supported by Women’s Cycling Ireland in conjunction with Cycling Ireland, is a real celebration of the diversity of women in cycling. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that it’s not always a race, and women enjoy cycling for a number of different reasons.
The campaign brings to life the voices of women and girls who are supporting and promoting cycling in their local areas, as well as sharing the stories of National Champions Orla Walsh and Lara Gillespie, who’ve already proven themselves pioneers for women’s cycling in Ireland.
We chatted to Enniskerry athlete Lara Gillespie about her career to date and her ambitions for the future, and she’s certainly one to watch in the world of cycling!
Off-Road, Road, Track & Youth
In addition to the wealth of events and initiatives promoted by Women’s Cycling Ireland, the platform also offers a range of informative tools to provide advice across Off-Road, Road, Track and Youth disciplines, including Cyclocross.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cyclist, you’ll find the answers to the most asked questions on all things cycling, guidance on different categories and the low down on all of the events in your area of interest, so you don’t miss a thing.
Not familiar with Cyclocross? Get up to speed with our beginner’s guide on the discipline.
