Featured image: Harry Platt

Sabina Sloman, an American post-doctoral researcher and avid cyclist, is a member of Bee Pedal Ready, a community interest company founded by Manchester’s mayor of cycling, Belinda Everett. Bee Pedal Ready creates a supportive space for women to learn about cycling and aims to diversify the sport by addressing its gender imbalance. The organisation advocates for safer streets for women and girls. Sabina plays an active role in bike maintenance and event coordination and she is also a certified ride leader.

Can you share a little bit about yourself and your background?

My name is Sabina (she/her) and I work at the University of Manchester. I have lived in Manchester for two years. I have been cycling most of my life: I learned to cycle as a kid. I spent some time living in the US and Canada, and this is my first time living in the UK. It’s been great to have this cycling community here.

What does cycling mean to you?

It means so many things! I find community and friendship through cycling, and I feel a lot of social change can happen through cycling, like with the Lights Up event. Cycling is also my mode of transport. It’s how I get to most places – it’s a way of travelling, because you can take your bike and explore new places. It’s also a sport. It’s interesting to me that all of these things fall under the umbrella of cycling because it’s so multi-faceted.

How did you become a Qualified Ride Leader?

I did the Ride Leader course through Cycling UK in preparation for the Lights Up ride, and to help out with future rides. I’ve been involved with Bee Pedal Ready most of the time I’ve lived in Manchester. After being on a few BPR rides, and helping out as a marshal at Lights Up last year, I took the course because it was an opportunity to increase the skills I’d started learning there.

What drew you to Manchester and the city’s cycling community?

I got a job at the University and moved here. Then I thought: ‘Where can I find a cycling community? – and I found Bee Pedal Ready. I think Manchester has a thriving cycling community. So much has happened, like these events; numbers are growing, and it’s really cool to watch that develop and see things change.

What has surprised you the most about Manchester’s cycling culture?

One thing I wouldn’t have expected is being involved with groups for women’s advocacy and making cycling accessible. Again, that’s my corner, and part of what’s cool about Manchester is to be part of a bunch of communities, and to see so many different kinds of cycling.

Manchester has been named the first European Capital of Cycling. As someone new to the city, what do you think about this title?

It’s a car-dominated city, and while there is bike infrastructure like cycling lanes, there could be more and it could be a lot safer and more accessible for cyclists. I hope that being the first European Capital of Cycling reminds people that if you’re making big decisions or thinking about what it means to live in a city, maybe think about this other mode of transport too.

One of the things that’s cool about Lights Up is that you see all of these people come out who want to ride in the city and ride at night. A lot of those people wouldn’t feel safe otherwise, because of cars. I think there’s this perception that the streets aren’t for cyclists and that we’re imposing. I’ve had a couple of experiences of drivers getting angry because I’m taking up space on the street, and that’s intimidating. That might be a barrier for some people.

What do you think can be done at a community or city level to address the dropping numbers of female cyclists over winter?

One big thing is lights. It’s a very different experience cycling in the dark than in a well-lit area where you feel visible. One moment I remember from Lights Up last year is that we went into Alexandra Park, which is pitch black at night. We had all of the cyclists with their lights, and it created an incredible circle of light. That really hit me: the fact that this park is dark isn’t something we have to accept. We turned it into a space of light and fun and excitement. I think with infrastructure and policy we can turn public places into inviting spaces.

What inspired you to join the Lights Up event?

I think it’s a powerful experience for the folks who take part in it, and me as well, who want to feel empowered: ‘I can do this, I’m capable of this: I’m not stopped from doing this because I’m unable to or I’m not well equipped.’ As they are, these streets may make you feel that way in certain places, but we can totally do it, and there’s a community in Manchester to support that and make that happen.

The ride ends with a celebration at Victoria Baths and the chance to engage with the community. What message are you hoping participants, especially women and girls, will take away from Lights Up?

For women, cycling and doing other things involves overcoming challenges and barriers and doing things that might feel intimidating. I think Lights Up is about demonstrating that we can support each other as a community and by showing that, it encourages people to find information and support and to know who to ask if they want to commute at night.

What advice would you give to women and girls in Manchester who might be interested in cycling but are unsure about getting started, especially as the darker nights approach?

Tap into our community groups to learn about group rides in Manchester and to get connected.

What three words would you associate with cycling?

Fun. Challenge. Community.