“Growing up as a girl I wasn’t allowed to cycle,” says Selma from Greater Manchester, who is supporting the campaign.
“Nobody else in my culture or family or area (Old Trafford) cycled.”
But, at 21 years old, Selma joined a Bikeright!, external scheme and learnt to ride a bike – in secret.
“I made a conscious effort to come home quickly to show my mum ‘look, I’m home earlier and safely being on the bike and I can leave at my will and I’m feeling fitter’.
“Slowly they adjusted and people started asking ‘whose is this bike? It’s really, really cool that she cycles’.
“And then, when my parents realised that they weren’t being ostracised for having a young girl in the family cycling, they absolutely warmed to the idea.”
Selma has now influenced her entire family to take up cycling!