#andshecycles update November 2025

Six of our TY students have taken up the challenge to become this year’s #andshecycles ambassadors. Congratulations to students involved Maura Anyi, Anastasia Ciousu, Leah Langan, Brooke-Leonard Harmon Elizabeth Peppard, Chloe Speers. Five students took part in the #andshecycles Ambassador Training Day at the Midlands Hotel, Portlaoise this week.

The #andshecycles campaign, led by Green-Schools, aims to remove the barriers that prevent teenage girls from cycling and to promote confidence, inclusion, and active travel.

During the training day, students collaborated with ambassadors from other schools, took part in workshops on leadership and communication, and explored ways to encourage more girls to cycle safely and confidently in their own school community.

We look forward to seeing their ideas come to life in the months ahead.

Green Schools & 'AndSheCycles' new campaign launched Sept 2025

Congrats to Cerys and Lille sixth year students who took part in this campaign.

Campaign aims to encourage teenage girls to cycle

Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council have recruited three social media influencers to try to persuade teenage girls that cycling can be cool and fun.

Amber Arkins, Kasey Campion, and Éadaoin Fitzmaurice are all based in Dublin and across TikTok and Instagram have over a million followers between them.

They have been posting paid content showing themselves cycling around Dublin and talking about how much they enjoy it.

The social media campaign has cost €30,000, which the National Transport Authority paid because the two councils have cooperated on the project.

Teenage girls are the most reluctant cyclists in Ireland. The 2022 Census found that more girls in the 13 to 18 age group were driving themselves to school or college than cycling there.

Teenage boys are much more likely to get on the bike.

Walking and Cycling Officer for Fingal County Council Emma Court said the gender split is stark.

"Data shows that one in every 250 girls cycles to school, while the number for boys is about one in 25 boys that cycle," she said.

The Cycling and Walking Officer for Dublin City Council Lucy Hayes said there are many reasons for this.

"Teenage girls are looking to be social and spend time with their friends, and so if their friends don't cycle, they tend not to cycle themselves," she said.

"But also, I think it's important that the infrastructure is right for them too, and that they feel safe, and it can be to do with clothes and image as well."

RTÉ News met Ms Hayes and Ms Court at Fairview Park with some teenagers they have been working with and the girls expanded on those themes.

Evie Kenny said image is a big factor.

"There's the whole thing about helmet hair and thinking you're going to come up to school looking a little bit rough," she said.

"And I think that's just something we all need to get over and realise that girls can cycle too and we can look good doing it."

Lillie Fitzgerald from Rush has done her own research.

"A lot of them just feel embarrassed," she said.

"They feel socially pressured. They don't like the feel of the sweat afterwards.

"And also, a lot of schools enforce a skirt-type of dress code, and it's quite hard to cycle in a skirt."

Safety can also be a problem with Sofia Corpu saying some areas need better infrastructure.

"It's kind of hard to weave your way around the cars, especially in town when it's really busy, but in the outskirts of town, like around here, where there's a new cycle path and stuff like that it's really it's handy to cycle," she said.

"I think for people who are coming from afar and going into town it's not as handy to cycle; they tend to take public transport."

Anna Sijo, like many teenagers, used to cycle more when she was younger.

"I kind of got out of it because I used to do cycling as a free time kind of thing," she said.

"But then I had less time for free time, so I just completely stopped cycling in general."

Cerys Haines says girls often do not want to stand out from the crowd.

"I think it's to do with the lack of role models of teenage girls cycling as well, there's not many girls who do," she said.

Lillie said she believes the Dublin influencers' campaign is a "really good step forward".

"I don't know if it's going to be the final step, but it's a step forward," she said.

Sofia agrees. "I think it's really good." she said.

"I think it's a good way to normalise cycling, get rid of the stigma around it because it is something that we should do.

"It's environmentally friendly, and it's a handy way to get around. It's good cost-wise."

We are thrilled to announce that our talented students—Triana Liste Conde, Nicole Farrell, Holly McCarthy, and Chloe Savage—have been recognized as runners-up in the prestigious Green-Schools Ireland Water Video Competition 2025. Their creative and impactful video entry highlighted the importance of water conservation, aligning with this year's theme, "Water is Life".

About Green-Schools Ireland

Green-Schools, operated by An Taisce, is Ireland's leading environmental management and education programme for schools. It promotes long-term, whole-school action for the environment and is student-led, involving the wider community. The programme encompasses various themes, including Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity, and Global Citizenship.

The Green-Schools Water Video Competition is an annual event open to secondary schools participating in the Water Theme. Students are invited to create a 1-to-3 minute video around the theme "Water is Life," aiming to inspire awareness and action on water conservation. Winners are invited to a prize-giving ceremony in Dublin.This award ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 15th, at the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Dublin. The event celebrated the efforts of students participating in various Green-Schools programmes throughout the year. Notable attendees includedJeffry Burke from Uisce Éireann and Joanne Scott, who leads the Water Theme for Green-Schools Ireland.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Triana, Nicole, Holly, and Chloe for their outstanding work, creativity, and commitment to environmental awareness.

Thanks to Mr Delahunty Ms Lowe and the Greens School committee and members for their continuing support. This achievement reflects the spirit of innovation and responsibility that defines our school community. Thanks to all those students who submitted Posters and videos to this year's competition. Watch out for next years' .This could be you.

Congratulations to the super Committee who showcased the continued efforts to make our school more sustainable during our Travel inspection Looking forward to hearing feedback & hopefully adding to our Green Schools flag collection.Big Travel Challenge:

Our #andshecycles ambassadors at the Velodrome on their new bikes

The green schools ambassadors had a very busy week during the midterm break! Maedbh, Eliza, Sean, Kristians and Diane, our five climate ambassadors, headed out to the Climate Ambassador Network meeting on Thursday the 15th where they learned about different things they could do to turn the school into a more carbon neutral place. They met people from all different backgrounds and discovered how they can make an impact in the fight against climate change.

A huge congratulations goes out to three of our #andshecycles ambassadors, 3rd year Stephanie, and TY students Cerys and Lillie, for successfully applying for a €500 grant each to purchase new bikes. Lillie also learned how to cycle over the break! The girls will be truly well prepared for the female only school cycle taking place in April.