Scottish Cycling is excited to present the new Women’s Development Group, the national advisory and support forum whose purpose is to develop women and girls cycling in Scotland.
The new group is made up of nine new members and three members re-joining under the new Terms of Reference. These brilliant women bring a wealth of experience and skills, covering leisure cycling and commuting, racing, sportives, coaching, club cycling and officiating. All Scottish Cycling regions are represented, with members coming from the north, north east, east and central, west and south west regions.
The group aims to grow the number of women and girls involved, celebrate women and girls cycling, provide advice and support, co-ordinate and facilitate the delivery of women and girls cycling opportunities and create a lasting and sustainable impact. With women and girls seriously under-represented, there is plenty work to be done and we expect the group will be kept busy!
The Scottish Cycling Women's Development Group
Fiona Walker
I have been racing for 30 years - road, time-trial, cyclocross, track and cross-country mountain biking and organising races for nearly as long. I was on the Scottish Cycling board for four years, on the first ever SC Women’s Development Group and previously worked for SC as a Regional Development Officer, setting up a new WDG. I am Level 2 coach with the Level 2 Track Award, and I’ve organised and coached several women’s coaching sessions. I am also a qualified ride leader and mountain biking commissaire.
Kirsteen Durkin
Fife’s Cycling Development Officer, founding member of the Women’s Development Group. I and an experienced coach of 28 years. I deliver Fillesavelo women’s coaching, workshops and events, as well as a range of facilities, trail and unique projects in Fife. I have recently qualified as a commissaire and must finish that level 3 DSU. Coaching women is great fun! Everyone gets loads out of it and watching where people go next is really exciting.
Jacqueline Ferguson
I work in the third sector in community development, focusing on sustainable living. I am a keen walker and cyclist; I’ve cycled across Scotland and cycle to work. I love working collaboratively, bringing people together to bring about positive change for themselves and others, whether that is encouraging folk to walk more often or grow their own veg or get on that bike!
Sally Devlin
I’m in Aviemore in the north of Scotland. I love cycling, whether that's road, mountain or just getting around town. I cycle competitively, but mostly for fun. I have recently qualified as a cycling coach and guide and love encouraging and enabling more women to be on bikes.
Amy Hickman
I took up mountain biking about 15 years ago and I have dipped my toe into racing including long distance multi lap mountain bike races, the SXC series, Enduro’s and gravel events. I am also a cycle commuter and regularly ride my bike from Fife to Edinburgh. I work at Breast Cancer Now, raising awareness and advising on lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk breast cancer.
Leanne Whitehead
I am a Radiographer at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. I love spending time outdoors, my hobbies include cycling, triathlon, hill-walking and surfing. This year I gained my Mountain Bike Leader level 2 qualification and began leading on and off-road Breeze rides. I enjoy introducing beginners to cycling and seeing others build their confidence and tackling bigger obstacles or more mileage.
Kris Kumari
I was born in Africa, raised in London, spent time in Dubai and now in Scotland with my two children. I fell into the world of cycling after being persuaded to enter a three-day women’s charity cycle challenge London- Paris (2018). I participate in cycling events/sportives and volunteered as a ‘Ride Angel’ for the first Night Ride Edinburgh in 2019. I’m a registered Performance Nutritionist, a school PE coach and trained in Bikeability.
Pauline Capaldi
Based in Edinburgh I work for a private healthcare provider. I have cycled on and off for years and I am passionate about the health benefits of cycling and sharing my passion with women cyclists. I am a Breeze Champion and have led 85 Breeze rides to date (still rising) and am proud of how I believe I have played a part in inspiring women.
Leanne Farmer
I have been a PE teacher for over 20 years; teaching in England, New Zealand, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Now in Edindurgh I’ve used my passion for cycling to become a Breeze Champion, a Mountain Bike Leader (L2), a Velotech Gold mechanic, Play on Pedals instructor, volunteer at Bridgend Farm and set up my own cycle tour company called ‘A wee pedal’.
The group is supported by the following Scottish Cycling staff members:
Melanie Toner
I am the Participation Programmes Manager at Scottish Cycling, managing our Breeze initiative to get more women cycling and leading on the coordination of the Women’s Development Group. I cycle to work and for fun, enjoying weekend road rides and sportive challenges. I have dipped my toes into cycle touring and racing, completing the Hebridean and Caledonian Ways, raced cyclocross and fallen in love with Zwift races.
The group meets four times per year and came together for the first time on 27th November; it will meet again in February.
Women's Development Group Meeting Minutes
Upcoming Meeting Agenda
We’ll provide more information as the work of the group develops. In the meantime for more information contact: melanie.toner@scottishcycling.org.uk
