Women light up town for night safety cycle

More than 40 women turned up to the glow ride event

More than 40 women wearing neon and carrying glow sticks lit up the night to advocate for safer cycling after dark.

On Wednesday evening they gathered with their bikes in Newbury Town Centre as part of Glow Ride Newbury.

Lorraine Murrell, chair of the town's Road Club, said those involved felt like they had a "place on the road".

The four-mile loop around the town centre was part of Cycling UK initiative called My Ride, Our Right, which advocates for women's right to cycle safely at any time.

The ride started after dark, aiming to highlight the early autumn dusk and how women tend to avoid riding at night.

The event was jointly run by Newbury Road Club, Newbury Velo, and West Berkshire Spokes.

Cycling UK found nationally more than half of women believed their cycle journeys were limited by safety concerns and a lack of suitable infrastructure.

Ms Murrell said: "[Women] just get very nervous about going out in the dark especially when they are cycling alone if streets aren't lite or going down dark alleyways.

"A lot of ladies get nervous and that's sad as that spoils their love of cycling."

The cyclists completed a four-mile loop around the town centre

Anne-Marie Goldsmith has a brain injury that resulted in a stroke about 28 years ago, which led to her to not being able to ride a bike.

"I accepted that I would never ride a bike again," she said.

However, she was convinced by Claire Vincent to join her on the back of a tandem bike - and she has never looked back.

Ms Goldsmith said cycling was "completely liberating" and by taking part in the event she felt she was doing her bit "to promote cycling for women".

Claire (L) and Anne-Marie (R) rode a tandem bike together

Cycling for Ms Vincent has also been a comfort during a challenging time.

She said: "I have had some low times - my husband is at the end of life with cancer and just getting out just makes so much difference to the mental health side of it."

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport said: "We're backing councils with over £600m to make roads safer with dedicated lanes, smoother roads, or improved lighting, to help more women and girls feel confident cycling".