ECF initiated the Women in Cycling (WiC) network in 2020 together with Cycling Industries Europe, Velokonzept, Mobycon and CONEBI. The network aims to help women get more visibility, impact, and leading seats in the cycling sector.
Promoting greater gender equality in the cycling sector is key to unlocking the full potential of cycling and in line with ECF’s goal of enabling more and better cycling for all. Therefore, the network spotlights women working in cycling by providing networking, mentoring, and training opportunities. WiC was officially launched virtually on 24 February 2021 with more than 550 participants.
Vision
The vision of Women in Cycling is for a diverse, inclusive cycling sector that provides equal opportunities and contributes to achieving cycling's full potential.
Aims
- Create an empowering platform for women from all parts of the sector with opportunities to network, exchange views and experiences, and collaborate on projects and initiatives that help achieve the network’s vision.
- Encourage organisations in the sector to adopt targets and policies that improve diversity and gender balance and increase representation of women in leadership roles.
- Campaign for no more all-male panels at cycling sector events.
- Ensure the diverse experiences of women are taken into account and represented in decision making bodies, projects and processes that affect the sector.
How will we achieve this?
Expertise Portal
The Expertise Portal represents an important tool in campaigning against all-male panels. Event and conference organisers can use the portal to search for female speakers and directly filter profiles according to areas of expertise. Women interested in speaking opportunities, interviews or jobs can sign up with their LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn Group
The LinkedIn group offers a platform for women active in the cycling sector to connect, exchange ideas and share empowering life stories.
Ambassadors
The Women in Cycling network was kicked off with inspiring women active in different spheres of the cycling sector who believe in creating greater gender diversity. As WiC ambassadors, they will:
- Spread the word about the initiative through their own network
- Speak at events and conferences on topics in their area of expertise
- Promote mentorship or act as a mentor for other women in the network
- Collaborate with the network on future activities and events
Advocacy
ECF is participating in the European Parliament Own Initiative Report on Women in Cycling, a Position Paper is here
Survey
As one first crucial step, the network launched a survey to gain insights into gender diversity in the cycling sector. The results of the survey will help guide the network founders in improving gender balance and in developing mentorship and training workshops. With more than 360 respondents, the survey strongly indicates that such a platform is needed.
Spread the Word
Use the hashtag #WomenInCycling on social media to show the growing power of this network.
Up Next
The next edition of ECF’s Velo-city conference is set to take place in Ghent from 18-21 June 2024. The call for abstracts is now open. We would like to strongly encourage all women with expertise in cycling, sustainable & active mobility and related fields to submit an abstract until 3 November 2023.
For more information please follow this page: https://www.velo-city-conference.com/en/programme/call-for-abstracts/
