Lights Up launches Levenshulme exhibition

An art exhibition empowering Manchester’s female cyclists has been launched in Levenshulme’s Station South following the success of November’s Lights Up night-time bike ride.

The exhibition was created as part of the Lights Up cycling campaign created by Manchester’s Cycling Mayor Belinda Everett, which aims to challenge the underrepresentation of female cyclists and raise awareness of the issues they face day-to-day.

On 9 November, crowds of women and allies gathered at All Saints Park to embark on a night-time bike ride through the city centre to “reclaim the night” for female cyclists.

It was attended by 150 people, more than double the 60 that turned up last year. “We actually had to turn people away,” Belinda said. “I mean, you can see the optimism in it in comparison to when we did it last year.”

In a survey conducted by London Cycling Campaign last year, 90% of the women surveyed had experienced verbal abuse while cycling, and that a further 93% of respondents said that drivers had used their vehicles to intimidate them.

For Everett, the low number of women who feel able to cycle even once a week is “disgusting”.

“It shouldn’t be that,” she said. “So it’s the reason why we created the event in the first place.

“We call it an event-slash-campaign, which is to try and increase awareness and visibility of the fact that diversity in cycling has to massively change. Whether that’s through bike mechanics, whether it’s from urban planning, whether it’s from commuting, community, or elite, there has to be a massive shift.”

A ‘fantastic’ launch

The exhibition was first held in Victoria Baths, before it moved to Levenshulme for the launch event held on Thursday. The event was created and hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University’s aAh! Magazine, and featured artwork, photography, and film pieces made by ManMet students.

Natalie Carragher, senior lecturer in multimedia journalism and creator of aAh! Magazine, said the launch was “fantastic”.

“It’s been brilliant to launch the exhibition at Station South, and to be able to share the work of the students’ to a whole new audience. We’ve heard from Belinda Everett that local cycling groups are going to be organising group rides here just so that they can see the students’ work, which is incredible.

“We’re so proud of the students and of everything they’ve achieved as part of this exhibition. It’s been an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in cycling, to explore new narratives in sport and in cycling, and to promote inclusivity and visibility within our community.”

A strong message

The exhibition is set to be held at Station South until 19 December, with another night-time cycle planned for International Women’s Day in March. Despite another Lights Up being planned for the future, Everett remarked that she hoped it wouldn’t become an annual event.

She said: “I’m really proud of how it went and hopefully, all this being well, we want it to continue. But the aim is for Lights Up not to exist.

“I don’t want Lights Up to keep carrying on, because at the end of the day, more women and young girls are riding at night as well as riding during the day, so hopefully it’ll be great to know in the future that we’re not doing Lights Up.

“[With Lights Up,] how can we do something that has a light, but has still got a strong message as well at the same time? Especially for adults. We’re also just… big kids. We also need to enjoy ourselves at the same time.”