Glossop Glow Ride to shine a light on cycle safety

The Glossop Glow Ride will see cyclists of all ages take to the town's streets, using bike lights, glow sticks and bright clothing to highlight the need for people to feel safe when cycling locally, day or night.

The event, which is organised by local riders Catherine Cleary and Lynne Taylor, is part of a national programme of Glow Rides taking place across the UK from 22nd–31st October, organised by local communities in support of Cycling UK's 'My Ride. Our Right' campaign.

Participants will meet at the War Memorial in Norfolk Square at 7pm on Saturday 24th October, before setting off together at 7.15pm. The ride will take around 45 minutes and is expected to finish at approximately 8pm, with participants invited to join the organisers afterwards for a drink and a chat.

The ride is open to everyone - adults, children and people riding any type of bike. Experienced riders will be on hand to help guide participants and make sure everyone can enjoy the event safely.

Participants are encouraged to bring bike lights and wear bright, reflective or glow-in-the-dark clothing where possible.

The organisers want the event to highlight the everyday reasons why people can be put off cycling in Glossop, from concerns about traffic and intimidating behaviour from drivers to a lack of safe, connected routes.

These barriers can make a particular difference to people who might otherwise choose a bike for everyday journeys such as getting to school, shopping or commuting, as well as those who may feel less confident cycling after dark.

Catherine Cleary, co-organiser of the Glossop Glow Ride, said:

“Nothing beats a bike when it comes to nipping around town, whether it’s taking my young daughter somewhere in my cargo bike, or doing the weekly shop. I love being on two wheels and I want to spread some of that joy! We all still need to get around when the winter evenings set in, but lots of people rightly feel less safe or confident getting out on their bike in the dark.

“The Glow Ride is a chance to come together, have some fun and make ourselves visible - and add our voices to the call for better cycling infrastructure for everyone.”

Lynne Taylor of Global Therapies, co-organiser, said:

“This is very much a local event, but it's also part of a much bigger national call for change. I love riding my bike to meet friends, do my shopping, as well as for exercising to keep fit and healthy, and I want to spread the joy of riding to others.

“People shouldn't need to be confident cyclists, experienced road users or particularly brave to get on a bike. If we want more people to choose cycling for everyday journeys around Glossop, we need streets and infrastructure that make people feel safe.

“We're hoping people will come along to the Glow Ride, light up their bikes and show that there is a real appetite in Glossop for safer, more inclusive cycling.”

A national campaign with a local voice.

The Glossop Glow Ride is one of a series of community-led Glow Rides taking place across the UK between 22nd and 31st October.

The rides are part of Cycling UK's 'My Ride. Our Right' campaign, which is calling on politicians and decision-makers to support safer cycling conditions and greater investment in routes that work for everyone.

Cycling UK's campaign has highlighted how poor infrastructure, intimidating behaviour from drivers and fears about safety can deter people from cycling.

The national Glow Rides aim to bring those concerns into the spotlight by showing politicians and decision-makers that communities across the country want safer, more inclusive streets.

For Glossop, the organisers hope the event will help put local cycling issues on the agenda while bringing people together for a positive and welcoming evening.

Want a hand 'glow-ing up' your bike? The organisers will be in Norfolk Square from 6.30pm with some spare bike bling for anyone who wants it - just turn up a bit earlier and they'll get you sparkling.

For more information about the national campaign, visit: https://www.cyclinguk.org/my-ride-our-right