28 June 2024
PRESS RELEASE: Let Nature and York Bike Belles put a smile on your face this summer!
“Bloody brilliant!” said Frances. “I felt happier afterwards” said Anna. “I felt my shoulders lower” said Kate. “I enjoyed walking at a leisurely pace so we could take it all in” said Steve.
That is just some of the positive feedback from people joining Take the Green Route! activities so far, led by York Bike Belles CIC. As part of a 10-week Summer Nature Programme, they are offering free weekly Nature Walks and Rides and regular weekend Nature Workshops and Socials, with something for everyone.
Supported by a £99,799 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, Take the Green Route! is a new and exciting two-year community project that will enable York residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy nature-friendly outdoor lifestyles. On joining the nature activities, people will tune into nature near where they live, get some gentle exercise, meet new people, have fun learning, and feel healthier and happier.
York Bike Belles’ Programme Manager, Sheridan Piggott, said:
“We are delighted by the feedback so far. It’s one of those lovely projects brimming over with benefits for people who get involved.
Spending time outdoors and appreciating nature has been proven to have a really positive impact on your health and wellbeing. It makes you feel happier, less anxious and stressed, improves your mood and even helps your sleep quality.
You’ll improve your social networks and perhaps make new friends in our enjoyable small group activities. You’ll gain a real sense of purpose and satisfaction on learning new skills like wildlife ID, citizen science or nature photography in our workshops. And also impress your friends and family, of course!
We’ve put support in place so that hopefully everyone who wants to can join in. For example, if you have reduced mobility, you can join a nature ride on our Cycling Without Age Triobikes. If you use wheels such as a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get around, we offer a level, hard-surfaced route option on every activity. If you are new to cycling and a bit nervous about joining a ride, we offer pre-ride Start Cycling advice, bike hire and confidence-building buddy sessions.
Everyone is welcome. We hope you’ll join us this summer!”
For more information on our Summer Nature Programme, please visit
https://yorkbikebelles.community/takethegreenroute/.
Any questions, please contact the Take the Green Route Team at takethegreenroute@gmail.com or call 07493 692490.
18 December 2023
PRESS RELEASE: York Bike Belles CIC wins funding to support nature and people in York
Local community organisation, York Bike Belles CIC, has been awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £99,799 for an exciting new natural heritage project called Take the Green Route!
Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the two-year project will enable a wide range of local people to enjoy nature-friendly walking, wheeling and cycling lifestyles across York.
Take the Green Route! launches in June 2024. It will support residents of all ages and abilities to tune into nature near where they live, feel well, get active outdoors, make new friends, and enjoy life more. People taking part will meet, get to know and care for nature on their doorstep as they walk, wheel and ride on York’s Green Routes. They will enjoy learning new nature skills and knowledge on structured pathways of activities, including citizen science, digital skills, nature creativity and wild gardening.
Take the Green Route! will also enable people with restricted mobility to join local outdoor nature activities, through rides on our Cycling Without Age Triobikes and wheelchair transporter bike. And it will create easy and enjoyable actions that everyone can take in response to the climate and nature emergencies.
York Bike Belles’ Programme Manager, Sheridan Piggott, said: “We’re thrilled! Take the Green Route! has been developed over several years in consultation with local people and organisations.
“We’ll be offering you lots and lots of free, accessible nature walks, rides, creative workshops, wild gardening, socials, plus creating new digital nature maps, audio trails and wilder spaces for York.
“We’re confident you’ll feel happier and healthier after getting closer to nature nearby, whether through learning how to identify and photograph our wonderful winter waxwings, discovering where to find the elusive tansy beetle, or developing skills in cultivating wildlife-friendly trees, plants and wildflowers in your neighbourhood.
“We hope you’ll join us on the journey!”
Copyright 2024. Take the Green Route! is an original York Bike Belles CIC initiative, all rights reserved.
30 November 2023
YBB Programme Manager receives national recognition!
Congratulations to Sheridan Piggott, our Programme Manager, for being recognised today as one of the 100 Women in Cycling 2023!
Sheridan said: “Thank you very much to Cycling UK for inclusion as an ‘Industry Mogul’ (!) I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work for York Bike Belles CIC.
I never tire of the looks of delight on people’s faces as they take that first spin on a bike, or enjoy the ‘wind in their hair’ from our Triobikes, or spot the blue flash of a kingfisher by the Ouse while gliding around the city.
It’s obviously important to recognise the value of EVERYONE who supports people into positive cycling lifestyles. To this end, I’d like to celebrate our fabulous volunteers. Thank you for all that you do. And – watch out – you may be on the list next year!” 
Check out the full list of 100 Women in Cycling for 2023.
16 February 2023
NEW JOB ALERT!
Join us this year and help us transform more lives in York
YBB Coordinator Julie Kay said: “Through involvement with YBB, I feel like a positive and valued part of my community.”
YBB Start Cycling Participant, Ellie Lewis said: “It’s been life-changing. I experience real freedom on my bike – it’s like a natural high! And it’s been brilliant for my mental health.”
Our new Resilience Development role is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for the right person.
Is it for you? You will be a successful fundraiser, with excellent written communication and interpersonal skills. You will have experience securing Corporate, Public Sector, Community, Individual Donor and/or Legacy income and partnerships. You will be a persuasive and concise writer, with an ability to work to deadlines, and have excellent IT, online research and financial skills.
Deadline to apply is Monday 13 February 2023 at 5pm. More information at https://yorkbikebelles.community/latest-news/new-resilience-development-officer-job/.
A sincere thank you for York Step Change grant funding from Two Ridings Community Foundation.
6 December 2022
Release of NEW “Experience York Bike Belles 2022” Video
Enjoy the York Bike Belles (YBB) Experience this year!
“You know you’re going to go out, and you’re just going to be looked after.”
Do settle back, and tune in for a few moments. You’ll meet some of our participants, volunteers, partners, and friends. You’ll hear them talk about their involvement with us this year – as they walk, ride and enjoy nature around our beautiful city.
Our video is dedicated to the memory of Janet Cater, one of our volunteers, who features in the video. Janet very sadly died in October this year.
Finally, a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed.
28 September 2021
Press Release – Goodbye four walls. Hello wind in my hair!
Left to Right. Ciara Turner (YBB student intern) Julie Kay (YBB Rides’ Coordinator), Maureen (Chocolate Works resident), Margaret (Chocolate Works resident), Peter Huxford (YBB volunteer Pedaller), Libertee Hull (Chocolate Work Wellbeing Coordinator), Sheridan Piggott (YBB Programme Manager).
After a pandemic pause of 18 months, York Bike Belles’ Cycling Without Age Rides for care home residents are back!
Cycling Without Age Rides are a simple but brilliant idea. With a special electric-assist rickshaw called Trixie, trained York Bike Belles volunteers offer care home residents free and comfortable Rides out and about around the city.
Passengers hugely enjoy reconnecting with the world outside their usual four walls. The Rides open a door to the outdoors, green spaces, the bustle of the city and the friendly York community. The Rides bring back memories, freedom, companionship, and community contact. And, of course, the wonderful feeling of the wind in their hair!
The Rides have been on hold since March 2020 due to the pandemic. York Bike Belles are now able to restart, thanks to funding from The Feoffees of St Michael’s Spurriergate, Ruth Jennaway from local IT business Skiweb Ltd, Cycle Heaven, and enthusiastic local volunteers.
Have a read of the full Press Release here. Check out the relaunch of the Rides on BBC Radio York, or the short video on Greatest Hits Music, or the lovely article that made the front page of the York Press.
March 2021
Newsletter – Spring into walking and cycling!
Spring is wonderful time of year to enjoy getting out and about more, while nature blossoms around you. In our Spring Newsletter, you can find out about an exciting new job opportunity, discover a charming walk around York’s City Gardens, and be inspired by Rachel’s journey into cycling.
York Bike Belles 