A Pinner resident and charity co-founder has been named on Cycling UK’s list of 100 Women in Cycling 2024.
Veronica Chamberlain co-founded Harrow Cycle Club in 2021 after Harrow Council introduced new cycling facilities during the pandemic. Unfortunately, many residents were unable to ride a bike.
Speaking to Pinnernews, Veronica explained: “It was a complete surprise! I thought all we needed to do was campaign for more cycle lanes, but I quickly found out a lot of people couldn’t take advantage of them.”
She teamed up with Evolve, a charity which makes cycling more accessible for Muslim and South Asian women. With help from a Harrow Giving grant, the team began training eight women to become cycle coaches.
The charity now has around 40 training bikes, tens of coaches, mechanics and ride leaders, and 50 volunteers. They are supported by organisations across the borough such as the Pinner Association.
Veronica continued: “It’s enormously satisfying, seeing the lightbulb moment as they start to pedal. It’s a life-changing moment for many. I remember one lady who burst into tears!”
Veronica’s hard work has struck a chord for many, and last month it was revealed that she had been secretly nominated and named as one of Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2024.
She said: “All the women on that list are amazing, so it’s lovely! But I’m just the tip of the iceberg; we have 50 volunteers beavering away. This award is for them, for all the people who have done brilliant things all these years.”
Harrow Cycle Club runs from its temporary home at the Civic Centre. Veronica hopes that in 2025, they will find a permanent home in a park.
Find out more at www.harrowcyclehub.org
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