Cycle Sisters is a Stockton-based group for women looking to get back into cycling. Yvonne Ramage helps run the group. Here she explains how and why she got back on her bike and her aim of getting more women back in the saddle

LIKE most children growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I had, or rather shared, a bike with my siblings. I didn't really own a bike of my own until I was in my 30s, and even then I didn't ride it much, until I met my husband.

In the early days of our marriage, my husband and I managed to get in a few rides, often putting our bikes on the back of the car and then riding on back roads. In those days 20 miles seemed a long ride!

In my late 40s, I had a career change, and worked in local government in a section closely associated with a transport policy department.

It was here that I got to know a number of men and women who lived and breathed cycling. Their commitment and enthusiasm encouraged me, firstly to have a go at cycling to work, and secondly to have a go at some cycling challenges.

This I did, by riding in my first cycle sportive; The Northern Rock Cyclone, raising money for Cancer Research, and also cycling the Sustrans C2C route, together with my stepdaughter and two women from my office. Since then I have cycled a number of other Sustrans long distance routes. I had really caught the bug!

In my mid-50s, I left my paid job and went to volunteer for Sustrans. I knew a fair bit about Sustrans, from my job, and had met the area manager a few times.

The guys in the Stockton Active Travel Hub were very welcoming and encouraged me to get involved with their Silver Cyclists guided rides.

I received training as a ride leader, as well as in cycle maintenance and Bikeability. In the four years I have been volunteering my enthusiasm for cycling has continued to grow, as has my collection of bicycles!

I am really not into racing. I admire those who do, but it's not for me. In addition to using my bike for sustainable transport, I enjoy running the Cycle Sisters informal club - based at and supported by the Sustrans Active Travel Hub in Stockton.

I enjoy riding in the company of a group of friends and do a fair bit of cycle touring with my husband. Together we have cycled from London to Paris, and also along the Moselle and Rhine.

I honestly don't believe that it needs to be difficult for a woman to get into cycling. There have been some amazing female role models from the past. For instance, Billie Fleming - aka Billie Dovey - who cycled every day in 1938, clocking up 30,000 miles on a bike fitted with three-speed gears! And not forgetting Eileen Sheridan and the wonderful Beryl Burton, who was probably this country's best ever racing cyclist.

Encouraging more women to take up cycling is a passion of mine. Leaving aside the point that some of us women worry about "helmet hair" and getting sweaty, there are far more serious issues which prevent more women from cycling.

Firstly there is the perception that it is dangerous. It can be, but with proper training in being a defensive rider - Bikeability Level 3 - many of these anxieties can be allayed.

The provision of more properly segregated cycle paths is probably the single most important factor in getting more people on bikes.

Anxiety over punctures happening and minor faults can put women off - but this can be sorted with a bit of training and by purchasing decent puncture-resistant tyres!