Easyriders, a project that encourages more women in the Scottish Borders to get on their bikes, returned earlier this year with sessions in Selkirk, Peebles and Galashiels. The project is now set to travel to new areas around the region and will launch in Hawick, Kelso and Jedburgh this August.
The programme, operated by award-winning organisation Hillside Outside Ltd and cycling tuition provider Ridelines, offers free women-only sessions that promise to improve cycling confidence, skills and fitness in a social and relaxed atmosphere.
There are a number of different sessions in each area scheduled to work around day-to-day life and working hours.
Funded by Paths For All and Transport Scotland’s “Smarter Choices, Smarter Places” initiative, the programme also sets out to promote a healthier lifestyle and demonstrate the ease of cycling as an alternative mode of transport, particularly for the shorter more local journeys.
In 2018, the project was a great success with more than 200 women across the Borders participating, 90% of whom say they would now opt for the bike over the car for shorter journeys.
The courses begin on August 21 in Kelso and Jedburgh. Full details of all locations and dates can be found at Easyriders. There are only eight places available at each session, to ensure a more beneficial experience to all participants, so places are limited.