FEATURE
Bellinda Everett
conversations with women and nine times out of 10 it was ‘I want to learn how to fix it, but, but, but… “By the time I got to the point where I was
like ‘let’s try it’ I had an idea that it would be successful. I didn’t realise how much people would take it to their hearts and really want to be a part of it. It’s really positive.”
The need for change
In recent months and years, the industry collectively appears to have accepted that it needs to change.
Campaigns such as Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling,
the Diversity in Cycling report, the Bicycle Association’s diversity project, and Shift Active Media’s Uplift mentoring programme are just a few taking tangible steps to highlight the issue and improve diversity in the sector. “There’s a shift happening. And it’s massively needed,” explained Everett. “The most interesting conversations are with men. So many
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don’t understand what the big deal is. And I think that’s an issue. I had a conversation recently where I was asked ‘why is what you do any different to what we do?’ “I said ‘there’s a big difference because you look like you and I look like me. Some customers are not going to talk to you about the boundaries or hurdles, but will talk to me’. The importance of women and people from different cultural backgrounds having role models can’t be underestimated. There is a saying that goes “if you can see it, you can be it”. Having representation is key for new people
who are potentially apprehensive about applying for a workshop-based role. “I speak to a lot of women and young girls who are really
excited by what we do,” said Everett. “They feel represented and visible. There’s this idea that a
bike mechanic is a white male in their 40s or 50s. It’s really interesting because there is a younger generation – from 16 to 18 – coming into it, but they are often from the same
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