aAh! Magazine X Lights Up Exhibition
Venue: Victoria Baths
Date: Saturday 8 November, 2025
Created by aAh! – Manchester Metropolitan University’s arts and culture student magazine – this exhibition features the work of talented student journalists, artists, designers, and photographers
The aAh! Magazine X Lights Up Exhibition celebrates women in cycling, exploring themes of empowerment, inclusivity, representation, and visibility on our roads and beyond.
In 2024, Manchester was named the first European Capital of Cycling, recognising the city’s commitment to safer, more accessible cycling for all. That year, aAh! Magazine teamed up with Lights Up to present an exhibition as part of the annual night-time bike ride, which saw 180 women take to the streets to raise awareness of cycling issues. The exhibition has since become an annual showcase, continuing the conversation around empowerment, safety, and visibility in public spaces.
It has been shown at Station South in Levenshulme and at Manchester Central Library on International Women’s Day 2025. This year’s exhibition features new artwork, reflecting fresh perspectives on cycling, freedom, and community.
Through storytelling and visual art, the exhibition reflects on cycling as a tool for freedom, independence, and self-expression, amplifying the voices of women reclaiming urban spaces and building community.
Led by aAh! project coordinator and senior lecturer Natalie Carragher, Manchester School of Art graduate and graphic designer Bradley Sansom, and graduate journalist Makenna Ali, the project was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Sport, Bee Pedal Ready, and Station South.
The Lights Up campaign, run with partners including Bee Pedal Ready, Station South, Manchester Metropolitan University, We Are Cycling UK, MCRactive, TfGM, and Starling Bikes, raises awareness of women’s safety while cycling, especially during the winter months.
Special thanks to Belinda Everett, Bee Pedal Ready, Jess Edwards, Laura Hickman-Sparkes, Nathalie Griffith, Richard Silburn, Simon Webb, Station South, Tim Leigh and Vince Hunt.
Natalie Carragher, senior lecturer in Multimedia Journalism and exhibition lead, said: “This exhibition showcases the creativity and talent of our students, using storytelling and visual art to explore women’s experiences in cycling. Hosting this work at iconic community venues such as Victoria Baths, Manchester Central Library and Station South reinforces the power of creativity and community in advocacy.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, said: “The student involvement in [Lights Up] has been fantastic. Hopefully, this ride has created an opportunity for students to be involved in a meaningful way in what we’re doing – to raise awareness of cycling, to bring lots of new viewpoints, and to think about the challenges that women and different communities face.
“Almost three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter* so it’s fantastic to see so many students and colleagues from across our University community engaged in raising awareness of this important issue.”
Bee Pedal Ready is part of the change to diversify the cycling industry, in particular, providing a space for women and girls to learn, repair and ride bikes.
Get involved and join one of their rides or workshops.