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HELP SHAPE ROUTES IN OUR CITY

Cycling in Norwich should feel safe, easy and enjoyable for everyone — but too often, women face routes that feel unsafe or uncomfortable. We want to change that. By volunteering as a route auditor, you can help us understand the barriers women experience on our streets and make a real difference in creating safer, more welcoming cycling routes.

Volunteer as a route auditor

We’re looking for women — which includes women and non-binary and gender non-conforming people — to help us assess cycle routes across Norwich and build a clear picture of what feels safe, what doesn’t and why.

As a route auditor, you’ll work in a pair or a small group to travel a pre-determined route after dark and record what you find using simple mapping software. You don’t need any specialist knowledge or cycling expertise — just your lived experience and willingness to take part.

Volunteer registration form

What you’ll do

In order to be a volunteer auditor, you’ll start with a short training session where we’ll explain:

What to look out for on a route
How to record issues
How to use the simple mapping software
How we keep everyone safe during the audit

After the training, you can choose from a selection of routes to cycle. You’ll always work in pairs or small groups — no one will be out alone. Together, we’ll agree on a starting point and time.

While on routes

Once you’re on the route, if you come across a section that doesn’t feel safe, you’ll use the mapping software to mark its location and complete a checklist. While riding, you’ll be paying attention to issues such as:

Lighting and visibility: street lights, dark corners or sudden transitions.
Sight-lines and isolation: whether you can see ahead or whether you’re visible to others.
Surface quality: potholes, pooling water, debris or unevenness.
Driver behaviour and traffic speed: comfort around motor vehicles.
Route continuity: unclear signage or sudden endings.
Any point that feels uncomfortable: where you would probably avoid cycling or where you’d warn a friend to be careful.

Once you’ve finished your route, we will gather over a hot drink to chat, compare observations and make sure everyone feels supported and heard.

We estimate that each audit will typically take:

10 minutes briefing at the start
40–50 minutes on the route
30 minutes for the debrief

You can volunteer for just one audit or as many as you’d like across the auditing period.

When will the auditing take place?

The auditing will begin from mid-April onwards, from round 6 pm to 8 pm. However, we want as many people to audit as want to, so you can also request daytime audits if you prefer.

Register your interest for Volunteering

Volunteer registration form

Who can volunteer?

We welcome women and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who:

currently cycle
cycle occasionally
used to cycle
would like to cycle but currently don’t

Because the audits take place in the evening, participants must be at least 18 years old. However, if someone younger would like to take part, daytime audits may be possible with a parent or guardian.

You don’t need to be a confident cyclist. Sections can be audited on foot if you don’t have a bicycle or don’t feel confident cycling.

If you have any questions, please email info@womenscyclingauditnorwich.org.uk

Participants at Norwich’s Glow Ride held in October 2025. Photo Claire Bullion.

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