Since 2014, we are led to believe the UK Government and Department for Transport have given approximately £7 million of taxpayers' money (including £2 million in 2021) to national cycling charity Cycling UK for their Big Bike Revival; it's claimed this initiative is designed to ‘help everyone and anyone to begin or return to cycling through a programme of free activities and services, delivered by organisations who are part of the community’. 

At present it is unclear precisely where all of the money has and is being spent... Given there are an estimated 7-10 million LGBTQIA+ people in the UK (10-15% of the population) and very little of Cycling UK funding seems to be reaching LGBTQIA+ communities, we are calling for a much fairer slice of the 'cake'.

PRiDE OUT is a friendly and inclusive cycling group for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, queer and ACE/asexual people (LGBTQIA+) and allies across the UK. We welcome everyone regardless of gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, age, body shape, bike or ability. Since June 2019, we've hosted many rides in the North West of England and other areas of the UK including Bristol, Scotland and Yorkshire. 

In May 2021, we spoke with Cycling UK’s Head of Behaviour Change and Director of Behaviour Change to request assistance with expanding group bike rides further across the country including the necessary funding to allow this to happen; unfortunately this was rejected. We asked Cycling UK how much of the Department for Transport’s funding is reaching LGBTQIA+ people in cycling, but they advised they don’t collect data on sexual orientation and said such questions require an 'ethics' type of approval. We also asked how much funding is reaching all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010; they advised they didn’t want to get into that.

The National LGB+T Partnership reports that '55-64% of LGBT people are not active enough to maintain good health compared to the 33% of men and 45% of women who are non-LGBT.' A survey by LGBT Hero also found 35% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported feeling suicidal over the previous 12 months as a result of the pandemic. Other statistics from organisations such as Stonewall and LGBT Foundation find LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to drink / take drugs, be depressed and feel lonely. We strongly believe this is unacceptable and feel much more can and should be done.

The transformative benefits of cycling on people’s social lives, health, sense of wellbeing and contribution to fighting climate change are well known; thus we believe LGBTQIA+ people in cycling (and other activities) deserve the same opportunities as others and a fair share of funding. Therefore we are calling on Cycling UK, the Department for Transport and UK Government to guarantee that LGBTQIA+ people and organisations receive a proportionate slice of the 'cake'; this is especially important where money is coming from the public purse.

We request as a minimum, that of all government funding to Cycling UK (and similar organisations), a minimum of 15% will be guaranteed to reach LGBTQIA+ people, groups and organisations in cycling (and other activities).

Thanks for your time and support.


Richard Hearne 
Founder & Chairperson
PRiDE OUT 
www.prideout.co.uk

Find PRiDE OUT on social media
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PrideOutUK
Twitter
https://twitter.com/PrideOutUK
Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/prideoutuk