logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
27m 16s

Can a bicycle change a woman's life?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Can a humble bicycle become a tool to empower women worldwide? Kim Chakanetsa meets two cyclists who want more women to get on their bikes.

Lizzie Deignan is a world champion track and road racing cyclist. She got into cycling by chance, when the British Cycling Apprentice programme visited her school in Yorkshire. Throughout her career she has broken down barriers for women in the sport.

Keen cyclist Alisha Myers is the Global Director of Strategic Information and Innovation at World Bicycle Relief, an organisation providing bicycles and supportive programming to women in rural areas across Africa. She believes that cycling can help women access education and better job opportunities.

Produced by Alice Gioia.

(Image: (L) Lizzie Deignan, courtesy of Lizzie Deignan. (R) Alisha Myers, credit Leah Missbach Day.)

Up next
Nov 24
Weavers reviving an ancient technology
<p>Across continents and generations, the art of weaving has connected humans for thousands of years. But it’s dying out. Ella Al-Shamahi speaks to two women from The Netherlands and Turkey about their passion for preserving the traditional craft.</p><p>Turkish social entrepreneu ... Show More
26m 28s
Nov 19
Women at the forefront of medical research
<p>After the discovery of a new gene therapy for Huntington's, a devastating brain disease, Datshiane Navanayagam talks to one of the women in the UK who worked on it and a biologist from India who's made recent discoveries that could improve treatment for TB, which still kills o ... Show More
26m 29s
Nov 10
Behind the smiles of artistic swimming
Artistic swimmers are known for making perfect synchronicity look effortless. Datshiane Navanaygam talks to athletes from Spain and Slovakia to reveal why the sport is far tougher than it appears. Silvia Solymosyová from Slovakia was the first artistic swimmer to reach 1 million ... Show More
26m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2013
The Uphill Climb of Women's Pro Cycling
<p>Ever wonder why there isn't a women's Tour de France? Women competitive and pro cycling has long lagged behind men's pro cycling, but not for lack of athleticism. Caroling and Cristen discuss female cyclists' uphill fight for recognition.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-c ... Show More
26m 8s
Oct 2020
Chris Boardman, cyclist
Chris Boardman is an Olympic cyclist, businessman and the Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester. Both his parents were keen competitive amateur cyclists and they backed Chris as he gradually became interested in the sport as a teenager. He left school at 16, and ... Show More
35m 27s
Jul 2022
Traditions iconiques - The Tour de France
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Le Tour de France</em> is a legendary bicycle race in France. But to cycling enthusiast Claire Floret, there’s something terribly wrong with it: women aren’t allowed to compete. So in order to make things right, she created a brand new cycli ... Show More
23m 27s
Feb 2023
EP20: GO-GETTER: Mountain biker Faranak Partoazar on leading the charge in women’s cycling in Iran and being the voice of encouragement for women around the world
<p>In this episode with our&nbsp;guest Faranak Partoazar, a mountain biker from Iran with several accolades to her name, Dawn and I want to first acknowledge the challenges and obstacles women in Iran continue to face today, which makes Faranak’s journey into mountain biking even ... Show More
50m 52s
Apr 2021
Pedal power: How bicycles can change lives
This is the story of how one man is trying to transform lives through the power of the humble bicycle. Many rural communities in rural Africa don’t have access to cars or good roads, which can make it hard to take fresh produce to market or get to school. But Wyson Lungu wants to ... Show More
24m 1s
Aug 2014
Info Lady
Why is a woman cycling around Bangladeshi villages with a laptop on her bike? Because she’s an “Info Lady”. A Bangladeshi innovation that's changing lives. Why is a woman cycling around Bangladeshi villages with a laptop on her bike? Because she’s an “Info Lady”. A Bangladeshi in ... Show More
40m 28s
Jun 2013
Boys of Summer: The Bike Perfecter
<p>In the third Boys of Summer installment, Cristen and Caroline hat tip JK Starley, the engineer who invented the bicycle as we know it today, and explain how the bicycle was a transportation revolution for women.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https:// ... Show More
20m 23s
Dec 2019
Evan Friss, "On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City" (Columbia UP, 2019)
Evan Friss, an associate professor of history at James Madison University, historicizes the bicycle’s place in New York City’s social, economic, infrastructural and cultural politics. On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City (Columbia UP, 2019) curates a histor ... Show More
49m 26s
May 2024
Meet the trailblazers: The female bike mechanics
Meet Sharvari, Belinda and Brenna, three female bike mechanics from different corners of the world. From setting up a female run workshop in India, teaching skills to other women, or working within elite sport: these three are all making a living in the male dominated world of bi ... Show More
17m 29s
Apr 2018
#412: Bridget Slocum on how wearing lycra is somehow trendy
Bridget is an amateur cyclist but someone that understands the benefit of community, friendly competition and of course having a good time. She is based in Melbourne Australia and this is a super inspiring show as we talk about: -The rise of women’s cycling -What is a “coffee r ... Show More
42m 18s