Tower Hamlets Wheelers
NEWS RELEASE Wednesday, March 9th, 2005
For immediate release
Ref THW02jagonari050309
TOWER HAMLETS WOMEN GET ON THEIR BIKES
- launch of "Jagonari Cycles" project -
Fifteen local Bengali women have today (Wednesday) become the first to
benefit from a new bicycle training project called "Jagonari Cycles!".
The women, all relatively novice on two wheels, will receive free training
and access to a pool of bikes, with the help of local cycle group the Tower
Hamlets Wheelers and the support of London Cycling Campaign's Community
Cycling Project.
The project is being launched at the Jagonari Centre, a Bengali women's
community resource centre on Whitechapel High Street, East London.
Lucy Davis London Cycling Campaign explained: "Women who sign up will begin
cycle training between now and April. At the end of April, when the weather
improves, there'll be a women-only group ride in the local area. Then there
will be rides every month to help build awareness of the training scheme."
Nurjahan Khatun of the Jagonari Centre said: "I studied in Cambridge and all
my friends there cycled but, at the time, my parents felt it wasn't safe for
me to ride a bike. I regret that now so when this project was first
mentioned I was really keen to take part.
"I was really inspired by an older friend who's a teacher. She wears full
Muslim dress but still manages to cycle everywhere.
"By learning to ride bikes we're bringing down social stereotypes and
encouraging other women to take part."
Jenny Jones, London Assembly Member for the Green Party, attended the
launch. She said: "The major advantage of cycling is that it frees you from
public transport. Public transport is great and I use it every day but when
you ride a bike you know exactly how long it will take to get where you're
going and you can leave whenever you want.
"It also makes you much healthier. You're getting fresh air and exercise and
it's healthier for the city. We have major pollution and congestion and we
all have to play our part in improving our city.
"I'm looking forward to joining the women on their first ride."
Photos of the women with the bright orange bikes and with Jenny Jones are
available, along with photos of the women with a giant 'Jagonari Cycles!'
banner. For pictures, please email owen@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk.
For more information, please call Kerry Noble press@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk.
Ends
Notes to editors
Tower Hamlets Wheelers are a local cycling campaign group in the East End of
London. The group aims to encourage more people to cycle, improve conditions
for cyclists and to raise the profile of cycling in the East End.
For more information on the Tower Hamlets Wheelers and cycling in the
borough, visit www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk. For more information about cycling in London in general visit the London Cycling Campaign website.
Bicycles are being provided by the "good going" travel awareness campaign and local bikes
shop, Bicycle Magic will be ensuring that the bikes are in top condition and
ready for the women to ride. The cycle training is through the London School
of Cycling and Youth Action UK.
The project has been developed with the assistance of London Cycling
Campaign's Community Cycling Project.
LCC's vision is a world class cycling city. LCC works to improve cycling in
London and also provides services to its members.
The London Cycling Campaign is the largest urban cycling campaign in the
world. There are 650,000 regular cycle users in London.
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