At the end of their Active Travel Campaign, FNY Collective release new film to celebrate their work to get more women out on bikes.
The FNY Collective, a Scottish charitable organisation dedicated to widening female participation in cycling and removing barriers to the sport, has officially launched an inspiring new short film.
The release marks the successful completion of their recent Active Travel Challenge, a project that saw over 150 women participate to document and celebrate using bikes for daily transport. The film challenges traditional perceptions of cycling by proving that mountain bikes are not just for the trails – they are a gateway to daily independence, community connection, and sustainable travel.
The Active Travel Challenge encouraged participants to document their everyday journeys, using their bikes to commute to work, run errands, head to the shops, and meet up with friends. To support the initiative, FNY Collective partnered with Ride Innerleithen to provide essential bike starter kits as an incentive, helping remove barriers and get more women active on two wheels.
Recognising that mechanical confidence is key to long-term cycling independence, the project also featured a highly successful series of bike maintenance workshops led by women. Supported by Durty Brewing, who generously hosted us, the FNY Collective delivered 10 practical sessions to over 80 participants. New riders learned crucial, self-sufficiency skills, from fixing punctures and repairing broken chains to general bike maintenance, ensuring they feel completely “trail and travel ready.”
The newly released film focuses on the journeys of two incredible women who initially found mountain biking and cycling inaccessible. Through FNY’s beginners’ confidence and skills courses, they gained the tools and self-belief to transform their relationship with the bike. By sharing their story, the film highlights how cycling can build profound community connections, shatter intimidating structural barriers, and change lives.
“Mountain biking opens up a whole new world, and we are absolutely delighted to share what this community has achieved through the stories of these two trailblazing women,” said Aneela McKenna, co-founder of the FNY Collective. “This film shows that a bike is a powerful tool for everyday life. We want to celebrate the love of bikes and demonstrate what grassroots charities like ours can do to build confidence, agency, and a lasting connection to active travel.”
Filmed by Jenni Foster, the film is available to watch now on the FNY Collective’s newly launched YouTube channel. The collective invites the public, cycling community, and media to watch, share, and join in celebrating this milestone for inclusive active travel.
