LGBTQ+ Community 'Ride With Pride' In Cycling Ireland Campaign 


Dublin 'Pride Ride' (Image: Monthly Cycles)


Cycling Ireland's 'Ride With Pride' campaign has been successful this month with strong participation recorded in LGBTQ+ group rides around Ireland.


LGBTQ+ group rides were held in Dublin, Cork and Limerick during the month of June as Cycling Ireland launched a campaign aimed at establishing and supporting a growing LGBTQ+ cycling community.


Cycling Ireland are committed to creating an inclusive, safe and welcoming community for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies after a successful 'Ride With Pride' campaign.


This will include objectives to create a LGBTQ+ Community Bike Rides group, promote future events as well as the establishment of an LGBTQ+ cycling club.


We will continue to work with several Local Sports Partnerships and LGBTQ+ organisations to support this initiative through our Get Ireland Cycling strategy. 


Alicia McConnell, Sporting Pride Community Group Liaison, said: 

"Cycling Ireland is really committed to getting the LGBTQ+ community and Ally’s active through accessible and fun cycling initiatives. They are investing time and energy to develop and promote on-going participation in events and programs so cycling can become part of peoples daily or weekly lives."


LGBTQ+ group rides


Social 'LGBTQ+ group rides' were held in Dublin, Cork and Limerick cities in June, with each well attended and receiving positive feedback from organisers, ride leaders and participants. 


After the success of these rides, further 'LGBTQ+ group rides' will be held in Limerick on July 8th, Killarney, Co. Kerry, on July 15th and Belfast, Co. Antrim, on July 29th. For more information please contact paul.norton@cyclingireland.ie. 


The LGBTQ+ group ride on Saturday, July 8th will start from City Hall on Merchant's Quay, meeting at 11:45am. The route is 11km out and back along the Canal Way with a coffee stop at The Pavilion in UL. Arrive back at Merchant's Quay in time for the Pride Parade. Participants are encouraged to bring flags, feather boas, face paint, music (Bluetooth speakers) and all things Pride! Register here: https://forms.gle/25ShFsc86dpdu9nX8


Mark Cronin, Cork 'Pride Ride' ride leader, said: 

"What a great day for the Cork Pride Bike ride with support from so many organisations. The bike ride participants were a great multi national mixture of Cork, Australian, Italian, Spanish, Malaysian and even Dubs. (It was) an absolute great bike ride with fantastic people on a very nice, safe, scenic Greenway amenity. The weather was also good with only the slightest of perspiration. No one got wet and everyone had a great time with chat and a bit a craic."


James Kirby, Cork Sports Partnership, said: 

"Cork Sports Partnership was delighted to partner with Cycling Ireland, The Gay Project and all other partners to host this Pride Cycle from The Marina recently. It was fantastic to see all  participants take part, have fun and meet new people. We are looking forward to collaborating on future projects to provide more people with the opportunity to get out and active through cycling."


Khalid Alwisi, Cork 'Pride Ride' participant, said: 

"The bike ride was excellent. The ride leader, Mark, was really great at guiding us through the route and making sure no one was left behind. Everyone who participated in the bike ride was amazing as well. It was just a lovely day out and I got to see Blackrock castle in all its beauty for the first time. And of course, the free coffee and treats were a welcome plus."


Joan O’Connell, Dublin 'Pride Ride', said: 

"The Pride Bike Bop went really well! We had maybe around 20 or so joining us - hopefully that's something we can build on - and the weather and atmosphere was really amazing."