Throughout 2009, Sustrans will be embarking on a number of initiatives to encourage and inspire more women to choose to travel by bike.

We know that whilst 44% of women own or have access to a bike, only 11% use them more than once a month. The aim of the campaign is to understand more about what prevents women from cycling, for Sustrans to give as much practical support and information as they can to enable those who want to cycle to do so and to find out what else needs to change to encourage many more women to take to two wheels.

The first initiative this year is the launch of a new website for women at www.bikebelles.org.uk

This comprehensive online resource has just gone live and features a wealth of practical advice, ranging from tips on what to wear, to which bike and accessories to choose, to where to look for cycle training and information on cycling routes. There are also regularly updated news features, details of upcoming events for women, mini-polls and bike accessories carefully selected by women for women to help make cycling that much more enjoyable.

The website will also be a platform for the views of our women's panel, a group of women from all over the UK, varying in ages and levels of cycling experience, who will be sharing their opinions on a range of issues surrounding women and cycling.

If you have any comments or feedback about the website, then please send an email to bikebelles@sustrans.org.uk