Reclaiming the streets: The Fancy Women’s Ride returns this International Women’s Day

Posted on 4 March, 2026

When women first took to bicycles in the late nineteenth century, the reaction wasn’t positive.

Unused to seeing women being mobile, independent and visible in public space, it wasn’t until the 1890s that women riding bikes evolved into a liberating – and more common – activity across Europe and America.

And while much has changed since then (including the introduction of Lycra) the underlying barriers of safety remain.

That’s why the Fancy Women’s Ride exists. And the Canberra chapter is taking to the streets on International Women’s Day (Sunday 8 March), helping to make women visible and start conversations about the power of independence.

Launched in 2024 by Pedal Power ACT and inspired by a global movement that began in Turkey in 2013, the idea behind the event is not only to encourage more women to cycle but to also remind decision-makers that visibility matters.

For Pedal Power ACT Executive Director Cecily Michaels, it’s also about one more important thing: calling out and addressing the barriers women still face when they get on their bikes in Canberra.

“It’s about creating a safe space for women to cycle together, because in Canberra women cycle less than men,” she explains.

“We have less members who are female and I’m told that women feel less safe for multiple reasons, like infrastructure…and then there’s also the fear of harassment.”

Cecily says that multiple women have recounted stories to her about sexual harassment where men have touched or spoken to them inappropriately while riding; the Fancy Women’s Ride is about helping them reclaim space.

Following the success of the inaugural 2025 ride – which saw 113 people don their helmets for a good cause – the 2026 ride will be bigger and better. Starting and ending in Haig Park, the ride takes place from 1 pm until 3 pm, with the route taking riders around the city.

The aim is to create a joyful, inclusive and highly visible moment where women ride together.

Cecily believes that the original deep discomfort around women being mobile, autonomous and visible in public space still exists. It’s just not as obvious as it once was.

“Having an event like this – where it is joyous and it’s also serious – is important. It is about saying that women can choose to be safe, and competent and ride in public. We need to make space for that,” she says.

It’s also why she invited Dr Marisa Paterson MLA to join the Fancy Women’s Ride as a guest speaker.

Recently experiencing public abuse after sharing a photo of herself cycling to work, Cecily says that Marisa’s experience reflects the broader challenges many women continue to face when occupying public space with confidence.

“When I read in the Canberra Times about what she’d experienced, I just felt I had to reach out as another woman and from Pedal Power to give her our support and solidarity,” Cecily explains.

“She will be talking about her experience with promoting herself as a cycling commuter on Facebook and receiving the most inappropriate, hostile, sexually provocative, verbally disgusting things said to her by anonymous people.”

“This is about showing Canberra we’re better than that, and roads are there for everybody.”

But the day isn’t just a group of women riding around town.  It’s also about creating community and connection, with participants encouraged to decorate their helmets, dress up and express themselves through colour, creativity and style.

Discobedience dance troupe will be there on the day to teach a pre-ride dance, and there will also be prizes for the best dressed, with titles including ‘Overall Fanciest Dressed, ‘Fanciest Person in Solidarity’, ‘Best Dressed Bike’, ‘Best Decorated Helmet’ and ‘Most Outlandish.’

“Grab a bite to eat from the Haig Markets if you’re feeling nibblish while we go through the speech, the prizes and the dance, and then we’re taking off at two o’clock,” explains Cecily.

“It’ll be between eight to 10 kilometres at a slow pace, with marshals to keep us all safe and following the road rules… we all stay together, and we’re all loud, proud and joyous together.”

Continuing the work of the Fancy Women’s Ride long after its over by advocating the ACT Government to ensure there’s safe infrastructure for riders, Cecily is excited to see the creativity, innovation and comradeship of the day.

The Fancy Women’s Ride is open to all women and those who wish to ride in solidarity. Though the event, Pedal Power is challenging both the myths of the past and the realities women face today.

Because when women feel safe and confident to ride, the whole city moves forward.

For more information, visit pedalpower.tidyhq.com

Images supplied.