Jenny Copnall + Jenn O’Connor

Jenny Jones, Green Party Assembly Member, Jenny Copnall UK’s leading female mountain biker and Jenn O’Connor, the 24 Hour solo mountain biking champion, today announced they will be attending the Women’s Sports Foundation’s (WSF) women only 10-mile cycle challenge, in support of children’s charity WellChild’s on 11th June 2006

Pedal in the Park, which aims to attract women of all abilities to get pedaling while raising money to help families in the UK with sick children, has already attracted massive celebrity support.

Jenny Jones MP, a keen cycling advocate, was thrilled to be involved in the event that encourages women to use cycling as a great way to stay healthy and look after the environment. Jenny Copnall and Jenn O’Connor will also be joining riders for a scenic ride around the River Lee Country Park, on the 11th June 2006. Both cyclists will be there with their elite bikes on show, taking questions from riders and giving advice.

Jenny Copnall, showed her support by explaining

Women are urged to bring their families along to cheer on the riders and make the most of the beautiful park. Riders can cycle by themselves or can organise a team, whatever way they do not need a bike to enter as bike hire available on the day.

Research suggests that only 24 per cent of women meet the current recommended physical activity target. Reasons why women are missing out on physical activity is often because of time constraints, inaccessibility, financial constraints and perceiving that sport is an activity exclusively for men. Cycling dispels all of these barriers and is on the increase.
Record show that in Westminster and Islington the number of commuter cyclists has more than doubled in some areas over the past five years, making cycling one of the most popular forms of physical activity in for people in an around London.

Through Pedal in the Park, WSF and WellChild aim to highlight that cycling is a fun and exhilarating way for women of all ages and abilities to stay fit and healthy.

“From mothers with young children, to older women wanting to stay in shape, cycling is affordable, convenient, can be done in cities and the countryside and you don’t have to be ‘sporty’ to enjoy it.” explains Kate Laydon, Chief Executive, WSF.

To enter the Pedal in the Park event or to find out more details please visit
www.wsf.org.uk/pedal