She Cycles Club Starter Kit
Everything you need to start a women's cycling club in your city, college, or neighbourhood — from zero to your first group ride in 30 days.
Week 1: Foundation
Step 1: Find Your Core 5
You don't need 50 women. You need 5 who will show up every week.
Where to find them:
- Post in your apartment/colony WhatsApp group: "Any women interested in cycling together on Saturday mornings? No experience needed."
- Ask at your gym, yoga class, or walking group
- Post on Instagram with #SheCycles and your city name
- Ask colleagues — lunch conversations reveal hidden cyclists
- Local parks on weekend mornings — approach women walking and ask if they've considered cycling
Step 2: Choose Your Identity
| Decision | Options |
|---|---|
| Name | [Your City] She Cycles / [Neighbourhood] Women on Wheels / [College] Pedal Queens |
| Ride day | Saturday or Sunday morning (6-8 AM works best in Indian cities — cooler, less traffic) |
| Ride type | Leisure (10-15 km, cafe stop) or Fitness (20-40 km, moderate pace) |
| WhatsApp group | Create immediately — this is your club's nervous system |
Step 3: Set Up Communication
- WhatsApp group — primary channel. Pin the ride schedule.
- Instagram page — post ride photos, attract new members. Use Canva for templates.
- Google Sheet — track members: name, phone, emergency contact, bike type, experience level
Week 2: First Ride
Planning Checklist
- Route: Pick a 10-15 km route you've ridden before. Flat, low traffic, shade if possible.
- Meeting point: Easy to find, has parking, ideally near a chai stall
- Time: 6:30 AM assembly, 7:00 AM roll-out (gives buffer for latecomers)
- WhatsApp message (send 3 days before):
"First ride this Saturday! 🚲 Where: [Meeting point + Google Maps pin] When: 6:30 AM (we ride at 7) Distance: ~12 km, easy pace Bring: Water bottle, phone, helmet if you have one Don't worry about: Speed, fitness, fancy bike. All levels welcome. See you there!"
Day-of Checklist
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Welcome everyone individually by name
- Quick round of introductions (name, neighbourhood, experience)
- Explain the route: "We go to [point B], stop for chai, come back"
- Safety briefing: "We ride single file. Experienced riders at front and back. Nobody gets left behind."
- Designate a sweep rider — the strongest rider goes last to make sure nobody is dropped
- Take a group photo — post it immediately after the ride
After the Ride
- Stop for chai/coffee — this is where bonds form
- Ask: "Same time next week?"
- Post the group photo on Instagram with a warm caption
- Send the photo in the WhatsApp group with "Great first ride!"
Week 3-4: Build the Habit
Making It Stick
- Same day, same time, same meeting point — consistency is everything
- Ride every week regardless of numbers. Even if only 2 show up, ride.
- Add variety: alternate between 2-3 routes
- Celebrate milestones: "Priya just completed her first 20 km!" (post in group)
Growing Membership
- Every member invites 1 friend to the next ride (word of mouth is #1)
- Monthly "bring a friend" ride — slightly shorter, slower, more social
- Partner with local cycle shops for 10% discount for members
- Contact She Cycles national: shecycles.in for support and resources
Club Roles (Assign After Month 1)
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Ride Captain | Plans routes, leads rides, makes safety calls |
| Sweep Rider | Rides last, ensures nobody is left behind |
| Social Media Lead | Posts ride photos, manages Instagram |
| Membership Coordinator | Tracks members, welcomes new riders, maintains contact sheet |
| Mechanic-in-Training | Learns basic repairs (see DIY Repair Guide), carries a multi-tool |
Safety Protocol
Every Ride
- Minimum 3 riders (never ride solo as a new club)
- At least 1 rider carries a basic first-aid kit
- All riders share live location on WhatsApp for the duration of the ride
- Emergency contact list accessible on phone
Route Selection
- Avoid isolated stretches (no "shortcut through the abandoned factory")
- Prefer roads with shops/houses along them (eyes on the street = safety)
- Ride in daylight only until the group is experienced
- Recce new routes alone or with the ride captain before taking the group
Incident Protocol
If something goes wrong:
- Stop the group — nobody rides ahead alone
- Assess — is anyone hurt? Is the bike fixable?
- Call for help if needed — emergency services (112), trusted contact
- Document — photo, location, time (for reporting if needed)
- Debrief — discuss in the group after, improve for next time
Budget
Starting a club costs almost nothing:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp group | Free | |
| Instagram page | Free | Use Canva free tier for graphics |
| Basic first-aid kit | ₹500 | One for the group |
| Puncture repair kit | ₹200 | One for the group |
| Mini pump | ₹500 | One for the group |
| Group banner/flag | ₹1,000 | Optional — for photos and visibility |
| Total | ₹2,200 | Split across founding members |
Scaling Up (Month 3+)
Once you have 15+ regular riders:
- Register as a society or informal collective (gives you standing for meetings with authorities)
- Apply for She Cycles affiliation: shecycles.in/join
- Organise a public event: International Women's Day ride, Cycling to Work Week
- Approach the ward councillor with your Street Audit and Council Presentation
- Start a beginner training batch — see Training Plans