Inverness business Velocity will be teaming up with Leap Sports Scotland to offer a Cycle to Health programme specifically for members of the LGBTQ+ community throughout September.
Velocity has previously worked with groups involving refugees, abuse survivors and those struggling with mental health, and after coming across Leap Sports will now be offering sessions to the LGBTQ+ community.
These will take place on Monday afternoons in the Highland capital, with the opportunity to join the weekly social rides on Tuesdays as well.
Organisers say they hope it will encourage more people to take up cycling, while providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to get involved in sport and physical activity.
“With this block, we are hoping that starting it off as a safe space just for LGBTQ+ people will really give them confidence to get involved, and then build up to the social rides that we do which are open to anyone on any of these classes,” Emily Bowie explained.
“There was this amazing trans woman who got involved in our basic skills course, and she just got the whole ethos. We put her through cycle ride leadership training, and she’s so knowledgeable and good at teaching other people. It has been amazing to help her build up her confidence.”
Rachel McNeill continued: “The social rides are amazing, because all of those people come together and it feels like such an inclusive group. We facilitate it, but it’s about them getting to know each other and developing their own independence and social skills.
“So many people say they feel safe and included, and everyone in the group is there for a reason – whether that’s to combat social isolation and mental health issues or just to get fitter.
“We’ve got a mix of older and younger people, so it’s a real mix of people from all walks of life.
“I think we’ve got the best job in the world, because we just get to meet people and go cycling with them, and we’re just building on loads of really good stuff that has happened at Velocity over the last 10 to 15 years.”
Leap Sports have helped facilitate sessions in a number of sports, including curling, rugby and climbing.
As an individual pursuit, cycling may not be as obviously social to some, but Velocity believe it is the perfect sport to engage with people.
McNeill said: “I think it comes down to the shared interest, and we cycle side by side because it’s safer so there is a chance to chat with people.
“You find in walking groups that if you’re side by side, it’s less awkward because you don’t have that eye contact. I think that’s really helpful, and I think that’s pretty much true for everybody – even parents with teenagers often find it easier to bring up an issue in the car, so it works in lots of different ways but particularly with cycling.
“Then there’s the added benefit of moving your body, so I think there are so many benefits to cycling.”
Bowie added: “It’s great for the environment as well, so we love it.
“There are a couple of people who have been on our classes, and they both live close together so they are going to cycle places together. It’s nice to build up those connections in the group as well.
“It’s just naturally something that you have in common if you struggle to make conversation with people.”
• Register for an upcoming Cycle To Health session here
