NHS worker prepares for first cycle commute as campaign encourages women to switch everyday journeys

Cycle Sisters and Muslim Aid have launched a new campaign encouraging more women to replace car and public transport journeys with cycling as part of their daily routines.

Running from 29th June to 12th July, the “Switch Your Journey” challenge invites women to swap one or more regular journeys, including commuting to work, school runs and shopping trips, for cycling. The initiative aims to improve health and wellbeing, reduce carbon emissions and help more women build confidence on two wheels.

The campaign is fronted by Nelufa Aziz, a 45-year-old community nursery nurse from Tower Hamlets, who learned to cycle two years ago through Cycle Sisters’ women-only lessons. She is now preparing for her first ever cycle commute and volunteers as a ride leader, supporting other women to start cycling.

Nelufa Aziz said: “I never imagined I would learn to cycle in my 40s. Since joining Cycle Sisters, cycling has improved my confidence, helped me become more active and introduced me to an amazing community of women.

“But cycling to work still feels like a big step. The route is busy and I get nervous riding unfamiliar roads on my own. That’s why I’m taking part in Switch Your Journey – it’s giving me the motivation to finally give it a go. I hope it encourages other women to realise it’s never too late to start cycling.”

The organisers said women continue to be underrepresented in cycling, with more than twice as many men cycling at least once a week. They also highlighted that seven out of 10 car journeys in England are under five miles, while research shows that more than half of people from ethnic minority communities who do not currently cycle would like to start.

Sarah Javaid, founder and chief executive officer at Cycle Sisters, said: “We know that women continue to face barriers to cycling that men often don’t. Many women tell us they lack confidence riding on roads, are nervous about traffic, or simply haven’t had the opportunity to learn. Through Cycle Sisters, we’ve seen how transformative cycling can be when women have access to spaces where they feel welcome and supported.

“Switch Your Journey is about helping more women take that next step. Every journey switched is a positive step for our health, our communities and our planet.”