Bicycle Belles - photography competition
A celebration of women's cycling in Lambeth through photography.
In order to promote cycling to ladies in Lambeth and show that cycling can be cool and chic, we ran a photography competition this summer.
There are hundreds of women cycling through and around Lambeth every day and the numbers are increasing. As it is no longer the domain of the lycra clad middle class male, we looked for images that portray the diversity of women and their bikes.
Winners announced!
For more information please email cycling@lambeth.gov.uk.
Cyclists case studies
Mays Al-Ali, 31, Clapham
How long have you been cycling to work and have you ever cycled to work before?
4th week this week, nope never cycled to work before.
What inspired you to want to cycle to work?
I was invited to attend the Bicycle Belles exhibition run by Lambeth Council and there I was encouraged to sign up with cycle training UK. I took the cycling proficiency lessons which increased my confidence in cycling so much I decided to give it a go and loved it - so much better than the hot sweaty overcrowded northern line in the mornings!
What barriers did you perceive before you started cycling to work? Ie, safety, security of your bike, clothing, having to shower at work etc.
I was worried about motorists and the safety of being a cyclist but actually it's completely fine and I feel perfectly safe.
Why do you cycle to work?
Its great exercise and my commute into work on the tube is unbearable - much nicer to be on the roads taking in the sites and sounds.
What is your favourite part of cycling to work?
It wakes me up in the morning and sets me up for the day, cycling over London's bridges is lovely as well especially when its sunny.
Have you got any funny stories about you and cycling?
I sometimes cycle in high heels and always in my normal clothes (skirts normally!) so it's a great way for getting noticed that's for sure.
Tansy Dowman, 29, Brixton
How long have you been cycling to work and have you ever cycled to work before?
I've been cycling to work for about 6 months now and had never cycled to work before.
What inspired you to want to cycle to work?
I have a few friends that cycle and then I went along to an exhibition called Bicycle Belles with loads of great photography of females on bikes. I thought then it was about time I gave it a go.
What barriers did you perceive before you started cycling to work? Ie, safety, security of your bike, clothing, having to shower at work etc.
I was not afraid of cycling it was more the distance that worried me and being tired. In actual fact it is quicker to cycle to work than getting public transport and instead of feeling tired I tend to feel more energised and refreshed instead of stressed out on trains.
Why do you cycle to work?
I am a really practical person so it ticks loads of boxes. I don't pay for transport, I'm exercising while on the way to work (I hate the gym and work long hours) and it's also more environmentally friendly.
What is your favourite part of cycling to work?
I've been looking at cycle maps and finding as many back routes as possible which I like, but I think the best part is riding through Hyde Park on the way home as there is always a lovely atmosphere and its down hill!
Have you got any funny stories about you and cycling?
Erm... can't think of any?