Focus of work
Sunny Cycles offers cycling activities for New Scots, including cycling lessons, skills sessions and bike rides around Glasgow, showing people how to ride a bike, gain bike skills and to navigate their way around the city using the extensive network of cycle paths. Many female participants are from countries where they were not permitted to cycle, so these activities open up a new mode of transport for them.
FIT supported Sunny Cycles with a small grant to fund bus tickets that would enable refugees and asylum seekers participate in the sessions.
Impact
By enabling travel to these cycling sessions, the participants met new people, made friends and were less socially isolated. Some of the participants were staying in the same hotels but had not met yet given the lack of socialising opportunities. These rides showed people how to navigate the cycle lanes in and around Glasgow, and helped them learn cycling, road rules and etiquette.
One participant said:
Together, they create a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels supported and valued. Thanks to their dedication, professionalism, and genuine care, my cycling skills and confidence have improved greatly.