Glow Ride York: How One Ride Can Help Make Cycling Safer for Everyone

847 words
4 min read
Published October 2026

Cycling should be a way for everyone to enjoy greater freedom, independence and the places around them. But feeling safe on the road is still a barrier for many people, particularly women cycling after dark.

Glow Rides bring people together to shine a light on this issue. With illuminated cycles, bright clothing and a shared message, they help raise awareness of the need for safer streets and better cycling routes.

At Get Cycling CIC, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy cycling with confidence. That’s why we organised a Glow Ride in York as part of Cycling UK’s My ride. Our right campaign.

What is a Glow Ride?

A Glow Ride is a community cycling event where people come together on illuminated cycles, often wearing bright or reflective clothing, to promote safer cycling and make their presence visible.

But it’s about more than lights and colourful decorations. Glow Rides provide an opportunity to bring people together, start conversations and highlight the changes needed to make cycling feel safer and more accessible.

They also show that cycling doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Riding together can help create a sense of community and make a shared message more visible.

Why safer cycling matters

Cycling can offer an enjoyable way to travel, stay active and spend time outdoors. However, concerns about traffic, road conditions and visibility can put people off, especially when travelling after dark.

For women in particular, feeling safe while cycling is an important part of being able to choose cycling as a way to get around.

Safer cycling involves more than having working lights. It means having routes that feel safe to use, space for people cycling, considerate road users and infrastructure that gives people confidence to make everyday journeys.

When streets and cycle routes work better for women, they can work better for everyone.

My ride. Our right.

Cycling UK’s My ride. Our right campaign highlights the need for safer streets and better cycling infrastructure for women.

Glow Rides are one way communities can show their support. By coming together and making their voices visible, participants can help keep the conversation about safer cycling going.

The campaign also provides an opportunity to recognise that people have different experiences of cycling. Feeling comfortable on the road can depend on where someone lives, the routes available to them, their confidence and the support they have around them.

Creating a more inclusive cycling environment means listening to these experiences and making changes so that more people feel able to take part.

Bringing York together

Get Cycling CIC organised a Glow Ride in York to bring local people together in support of safer cycling.

Led by Evie from our team, the ride welcomed everyone who wanted to be part of the campaign. Participants were encouraged to bring their cycles, use working lights and add something bright or glowing to help light up the streets.

The event was an opportunity to show that safer cycling matters to our local community and that people want to see streets and routes where more people feel confident cycling.

Making cycling more inclusive

At Get Cycling CIC, our work is about helping more people experience the freedom and enjoyment that cycling can offer.

We provide opportunities to discover different types of inclusive and specialist cycles, helping people find options that suit their needs and circumstances. We also work with community organisations and local partners to make cycling more accessible.

Events such as Glow Rides connect with this wider aim. A cycling community is stronger when more people feel welcome, represented and confident taking part.

There is no single change that will make cycling safer for everyone. Progress comes from listening to people, improving routes and infrastructure, raising awareness and working together to make cycling a realistic option for more people.

How can you support safer cycling?

You don’t need to take part in a Glow Ride to help make a difference. You can:

Support campaigns calling for safer streets and better cycle routes.
Share your experiences of cycling and the changes that would help you feel safer.
Encourage local decision-makers to invest in safe, accessible cycling infrastructure.
Give people cycling space and consideration on the road.
Help create welcoming opportunities for people to try cycling in their local community.

If you enjoy cycling, or would like to feel more confident about giving it a go, being part of a supportive community can be a good place to start.

Let’s keep the conversation going

Glow Rides are a visible reminder that people want cycling to be safer, more inclusive and accessible to more of us.

Our York ride is one small part of that wider conversation. By bringing people together and supporting campaigns such as My ride. Our right, we can help keep the need for safer streets in the spotlight.

At Get Cycling CIC, we’ll continue working towards a future where more people can experience the freedom, independence and enjoyment of cycling.

Learn more about Cycling UK’s My ride. Our right campaign: https://www.cyclinguk.org/my-ride-our-right