AS A volunteer coach for a women’s cycling group in Brighton and Hove, Alison Lewis has played an instrumental part in increasing female participation in the activity.

Her many roles in the cycling community include being a local organiser and coach for national women’s cycling organisation HSBC UK Breeze.

Alison has spent much of her free time encouraging more women to take part in the sport, whether as a leisure activity or to compete in events and races.

Alison, 53, the area co-ordinator for Breeze in Sussex, said: “Breeze itself is a scheme that helps local women get involved in cycling on many different levels, encouraging them to cycle together in a safe and fun environment.

“I believe that nationally there are around three times more men participating in cycling than women and that is something I would like to see change as soon as possible.

“It is thanks to Breeze and our coaching group in the city that we are encouraging many more women to come on rides.

“We hope they will go on to take part in more challenging bike rides such as the London to Brighton event or even competing in races.

“There aren’t many others in the city pushing for increased female involvement in the sport and that is why I believe my group has had such an impact in the area.”

Since starting the Rider Development (coaching and ride) series on January 7, the women involved have learned skills such as safe cornering, climbing hills, descending hills safely, riding one-handed, looking behind and riding as a group.

Alison, who lives in Hove, said that although some women may eventually progress to racing and competing in riding events, the Rider Development group is made up of those who are just keen to get out on a bike and learn the key skills involved in cycling, both on road and on a track.

One of the city’s cycling facilities Alison would like to see used more and maintained better by the council is Preston Park Velodrome, which is commonly thought to be the oldest cycle track in the UK, having been built in 1877.

Alison believes the Victorian era track is perfect for her cycling group.

She said: “I recently asked the Sussex Cycle Racing League to help us organise races for women who want to use the track in Preston Park and they have agreed to hold races on Friday evenings.

“I wanted to make sure women have the opportunity to develop other skills apart from learning how to safely enjoy riding on the road where traffic may make cyclists feel less comfortable.

“A lot more can be done to encourage people to use the track and to help this be achieved, I think the council needs to spend some time and money fixing some of the damage to the track’s surface as well as perhaps installing some flood lights by the track.

“It is kind of hidden away in the park but what a hidden gem it is.

“That needs to be identified more clearly as a public facility.”

On Saturday last week, Mayor of Brighton and Hove Pete West presented 16 women with rewards for attending the free six-week series of cycle coaching sessions that Alison has been running.

She said that comparing Brighton with other cities, she has noticed levels of women’s participation in cycling here have increased considerably.

She said: “London obviously has a large number of women cycling in the city as does Manchester but Brighton offers something unique and that is that we have very good flat routes to ride such as along the promenade and more challenging routes out of the city near the South Downs.

“Another really positive development in the city I think will get more women to use bikes is Hourbike’s new bike share scheme, which will make it more convenient for groups or individuals to travel around the city, even if you haven’t got your own bike.

“It seems some women do not like the idea of cycling alone and this scheme will allow groups to organise bike rides a lot easier.”

The Hourbike scheme is expected to launch by June.

For more information, contact hovebreeze@gmail.com or visit www.letsride.co.uk/breeze.