Angellica Bell urges more women to start cycling
The Celebrity MasterChef winner received her latest accolade at the London Bike Show (Friday 29 March), when she was nominated by former MTB champion, and founder of women’s cycle clothing company Anna’s Legs, Anna Glowinski, for her role in encouraging more women to cycle.
“Cycling is something that everyone should be able to enjoy. I don’t want other people to miss out on the opportunity to have fun riding a bike. That’s why I got involved with Cycling UK,” said Angellica.
“I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until a few years ago, so I’ve only just discovered in my adulthood so many things I now love about cycling.
“I’m so thrilled to have been nominated as one of the 100 Women in Cycling. That’s something I never would have expected to happen!”
The 100 Women in Cycling annual list celebrates inspirational women in the UK’s cycling scene, and forms part of Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling.
Nominate: 100 Women in Cycling
If you’re already a cyclist, encourage someone else to try it. Show people that no matter who you are, where you are or how old you are, everyone can enjoy cycling
Angellica Bell, TV and radio presenter
Results from Cycling UK’s recent supporter survey of 1,823 women showed that 75% were encouraged to start riding by a partner, a friend or a colleague and over half had successfully encouraged someone else to start cycling.
“If you’re already a cyclist, encourage someone else to try it. Show people that no matter who you are, where you are or how old you are, everyone can enjoy cycling,” said Angellica.
Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK Chief Executive, added: “Cycling UK wants people to nominate their ‘unsung heroes’; women who work tirelessly to encourage and support others to cycle and improve access to cycling for everyone.
“Our 100 Women in Cycling roll call is a chance to celebrate those women and for us all to realise that we have the power to help others build cycling into their everyday lives.”
Nominations are now open for 2019’s 100 Women in Cycling, with the final list due to be published when the Women’s Festival of Cycling begins on 1 July.
The festival is a month-long celebration of women’s cycling with female-friendly rides taking place around the country.
“Every woman on last year’s list was an equally worthy nominee, and this year we want to celebrate even more inspiring role models who deserve recognition,” said Paul. “Simply go online, let us know who they are and why they should be included.”
Nominate someone you think should be celebrated as one of Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling.
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone: www.cyclinguk.org
- For information on the Women’s Festival of Cycling see www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestival
- For our full list of our 100 Women in Cycling 2019 see www.cyclinguk.org/100Women
- Angellica Bell is known for presenting for The One Show and as the 2017’s winner of Celebrity Masterchef. She participated in the 2016 Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas and the Channel 5 cycling reality series in 2016 Tour de Celeb. Tour de Celeb featured eight celebrities attempting the Etape du Tour, a cycling event racing over a stage of the Tour de France. The Etape du Tour in 2016 covered 122km with 2,800km of climbing.
Angellica could not ride a bike prior to taking part in the challenge. - Cycling UK surveyed 1,823 members and supporters in March 2019. The survey results showed:
- 34% of women were inspired to start cycling by friends and family
- The three main factors which would make women feel safer on the roads are: confidence to cycle with traffic (29%), vehicles reacting to cyclist (28%) and dedicated cycle lanes/routes (28%)
- 90% of women cycle for physical and mental health
- 83% of women cycle for fun and social experiences
- 53% of women are less than confident in making their own bike repairs
- 57% of women do not think female cyclists are represented positively in the media.
Press contact information
For more information contact the national Cycling UK Press Office on 01483 238 315, 07786 320 713 or email [email protected].
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