Hull All Women's Association, a community group in Hull, call to R-evolution and Hull KR for help to get cycling.
"From a little girl in Mateur -Tunisia- to empowering women in the Hull -UK,
I still remember when my father taught me how to ride a motorbike.
I was the first girl in my village to do so, and one of the very few in my city.
People talked, criticized, and stared… but my father stood by me.
He was proud. And because of him, I was proud too.
That was around 2001–2002,
but the courage he planted in me never faded.
Years later, after moving to the UK and working in community projects,
I noticed many women wishing they could ride a bicycle.
In that moment, I remembered my father — my strength, my heart,
who left this world too early but never left my spirit.
And I said to myself:
I must help them
So I started knocking on doors, speaking to organizations, pushing forward.
And الحمد لله, last Friday we held our first training session!
We’re hoping for at least 10 sessions,
ending with gifting each participant a free bicycle.
This journey is not just about riding bikes.
It’s about confidence.
Freedom.
Breaking barriers.
And honoring the ones who believed in us first.
Thank you, Dad.
Your legacy lives on through every woman who dares to try."
Manel - Hull All Women's Assocciation.
When we first met Manel, we knew we had to get involved. Seeing what she has achieved with such limited resources, but with enormous passion and determination, has been nothing short of inspiring. Her commitment to supporting her community aligned perfectly with our own values, and it quickly became clear that working together could create something truly meaningful.
With the support of the University of Hull, we were able to collaborate and donate The Bike Hub’s former bike loan fleet, which had recently been upgraded. This meant gifting 30 fully refurbished, safe bicycles directly into the community, completely free of charge (decals removed). For many people, access to a bike is not just about transport; it is about freedom, confidence, and the ability to take part in everyday life. Removing that barrier can be life-changing.
What will we be doing?
Between January and March 2026, we will be attending the Maurice Rawlings Centre every Friday afternoon alongside Hull KR, delivering a 10-week cycling programme designed to build confidence from the ground up. Using adult balance bikes and static bikes, participants are able to develop core skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment. For many, this is the first time many of them will have ridden a bike, and the sense of achievement that comes with those first pedal strokes is powerful to witness.
As confidence grows, the sessions progress beyond the centre. Participants will take part in guided road-riding sessions delivered in partnership with First Step Sports, where they learn how to navigate real-world cycling safely and responsibly. These sessions focus on road awareness, positioning, and decision-making, ensuring riders feel knowledgeable, capable, and prepared to cycle independently in their daily lives.
A key part of the programme is also teaching practical cycle maintenance. Participants will learn how to carry out basic repairs and safety checks, empowering them to look after their own bikes, and those of their families, long after the sessions end. This knowledge helps keep bikes safe and roadworthy, reduces reliance on costly repairs, and supports long-term, sustainable cycling habits.
At the end of the 10-week programme, participants who complete the course take home a bike of their own. This isn’t just the end of a project, it’s the beginning of independence. Access to a reliable bike opens doors to employment, education, social opportunities, and healthier lifestyles, while offering a free, sustainable way to travel.
Why do we love doing this?
As a cycle and training charity, this is exactly why we love delivering programmes like this. We believe that cycling should be accessible to everyone, and that real, long-term impact comes from offering more than just a bike. By combining access to equipment, confidence-building sessions, road safety education, and maintenance skills, we provide people with all-round training that supports independence, resilience, and active outdoor lives.
These programmes don’t just teach people how to ride, they help build confidence, reduce isolation, support physical and mental wellbeing, and strengthen communities. Seeing participants move from uncertainty to confidence, from reliance to independence, is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
We’re incredibly proud to work alongside partners who share this vision, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities that help people move forward, one pedal stroke at a time.
To find out more about partnering with us, please get in touch: [email protected]
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