Background & ObjectivesThe aim of the "Beauty and the Bike" project is to provide a series of prestigious (and fun) sessions for secondary school girls to help overcome the negative images they have of cycling and to inspire and to empower them to take up cycling to school. The concept came about as a direct response to the prevailing situation that a far greater proportion of boys cycle to school than girls.
Implementation"Beauty and the Bike" is one of a range of activities being developed as part of Sustrans’ Bike It project in Exeter, UK. Beauty and the Bike gives positive messages to year 7, 8 and 9 girls on the health and fitness benefits of cycling, by offering sessions that are run in school time on health and beauty advice and practical solutions related to looking and feeling good when arriving by bike.
Each Beauty and the Bike session comprises two professionally delivered workshops, normally taking place in PSHE or Guidance lessons, with the following themes:
- looking good (delivered by the Body Shop or other partner),
- feeling good (delivered by the Bike It Officer/or another female role model).
Further, Bike It places emphasis on Beauty and the Bike being "prestigious". Girls attending have to obtain a ‘ticket’ from the teacher that is promoting the event, and numbers per session are limited. It has proved useful to have some girls in each session that already cycle to school as they also act as peer role models.
The inclusion of a cosmetics retailer and makeover/skincare is primarily a "hook" to gain girls’ interest and to give them some special treatment and a positive, fun, different experience. In Exeter, the Body Shop agreed to support Beauty and the Bike events through its community work programme. |
The project also provides facilities and equipment to create dedicated changing and storage areas for use by girls who cycle to school.
ConclusionsBeauty and the Bike was rewarded with 12 500 euro for winning the Shimano Cycling Concept Award 2007. This means there is funding for gift packs for participants and for the upgrading of dedicated changing areas (within school buildings). Upgrades might for example include -depending on consultation with students- wall mounted hair dryers, large mirrors and secure storage lockers to store books, cycle helmets, clothing, etc.
More informationSustrans website
Bike It website
AuthorAnnemie Van Uytven
Contact Emma Osborne
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