#andshecycles Campaign

#andshecycles Campaign

#andshecycles is a Green-Schools Travel campaign that provides a platform for teenage girls to explore, understand and address the barriers that are preventing them from cycling to school.

Applications for the 2024/25 school year are now closed.

What is the #andshecycles Ambassador Programme?

Across Ireland, data shows that just one in every 250 teenage girls cycle to school every day, compared with 1 in 25 boys so it is clear that cycling for girls is not nearly as accessible as cycling for boys.

While the focus of #andshecycles is teenage girls, both the campaign and the ambassador programme aim to be inclusive of trans and intersex women and girls, as well as non-binary and gender fluid people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experience of young women.

The #andshecycles Ambassador Programme is a unique development of this campaign with a focus on addressing the teenage cycling gender gap. This will be achieved through building and supporting student leaders to take action to enable and empower teenage girls to cycle to school.

There are three programme objectives:

Develop role models & leaders for school cycling amongst teenage girls
Empower teenage girls to shape the cycle-friendliness of their institutions
Provide opportunities for teenage girls to cycle

Who can apply?

The #andshecycles Ambassador Programme is open to schools that are actively working on, or have completed, the Green-Schools Travel and/or Global Citizenship Travel themes. Schools that have been involved in the programme in previous years may apply again.

We welcome applications from cyclists of all levels, or anyone who is passionate about creating change, to enable girls to cycle!

Do I receive any resources for participating?

A ‘Resources Pack’ is given to each ambassador at the introductory training event, including a branded #andshecycles ambassador hoody and pin, notebook for ideas, action planning and meetings, stickers and more!

What is involved in the programme?

The programme involves four stages:

Application stage: schools apply and are selected. Deadline October 8^th.
Training stage: students are guided in a range of skills relevant to advocating for change in their school through awareness-raising and action-based solutions.
Action stage: students take action aimed at enabling and empowering girls to cycle to school. These actions are presented by the school in the form of a portfolio (portfolio pack provided) to be showcased at the award ceremony.
Award stage: schools are awarded their medal and certificate of completion and outstanding achievements are recognised.

Will there by opportunities to network with other students?

Yes. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to meet at our in-person training events as well as through online network gatherings and support sessions that take place throughout the programme. These gatherings are an opportunity to develop skills, share ideas, support one another, generate collective motivation, collaborate, and build solidarity as ambassadors for tackling the cycling gender gap.

Read more in the document below and stay tuned to our social media channels and this site to keep up-to-date with all the #andshecycles news!

Campaign Launch

Green-Schools officially launched the #andshecycles campaign on Thursday September 19, at an event in the Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin. Over 100 people attended the launch event, which included a welcome reception showcasing the #andshecycles portraits by photographer Ste Murray of young female cyclists. The exhibition was followed by the premiere of the official #andshecycles campaign video which can be viewed above and shared on social media platforms.