We wanted to use the Eurobike platform as an opportunity to highlight the amazing efforts of the heroes in our industry and hopefully motivate others to create positive change.

Setting the Context: Cycling Participation

On the whole, it’s telling that participation data in terms of diversity is not easy to source, which could speak to a lack of emphasis on inclusivity in the sport. Thankfully, People for Bikes, the organisation that promotes cycling in the US, conducts a survey every two years that provides some great insights into participation. When it comes to gender among all cyclists, it splits 53% male vs. 47% female in the USA. However, when you look at the total number of journeys, men tend to cycle more frequently than women. In the US, men account for around 76% of all bike trips, leaving women at 24%. In the UK, approximately 77% of cycle trips are made by men and 23% by women. Germany shows a slightly more positive balance, with men representing roughly 68% of cyclists and women 32%.

Ethnicity

The data also reveals that Black cyclists are significantly underrepresented compared to White cyclists in America. Participation rates versus the population for White cyclists index at 108 compared to 82 for Black cyclists. This changes to 109 versus 63 when looking at Core Cyclists (also from the People for Bikes data). The two highest indexes for core cycling in the USA are those who are post-graduate (133) and those earning more than $100k per annum (128) (People for Bikes), suggesting that it is, as you’d expect.

Faith

In the UK, Muslim individuals are less likely to commute by bike in London, with only 1% of Muslims in the city travelling by bike. Within this group, cycling is predominantly done by men, with 86% of Muslim cyclists being male.

Disability

The disabled community, often overlooked in cycling, appears to have participation rates that don’t lag too far behind those of able-bodied individuals.

However, given that cycling can have a transformative impact on the lives of disabled riders, there is a real opportunity to increase the number of disabled cyclists. In our keynote, we chose not to focus on the causes and barriers preventing diverse groups from cycling. Instead, we wanted to highlight the inspiring organisations that are actively making a difference. Here are six groups leading the charge in creating a more inclusive cycling culture.

Now let's shine a light on the movements:

All Bodies on Bikes

All Bodies on Bikes is an advocacy organisation dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the cycling community. Founded by Marley Blonsky and Kailey Kornhauser, the organisation aims to create a welcoming environment for cyclists of all body types, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented.

The organisation hosts group rides that are accessible to cyclists of all sizes and abilities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. They offer educational workshops on bike fitting, gear selection, and body positivity, empowering individuals to feel confident while cycling.

Advocating for systemic changes within the cycling industry, All Bodies on Bikes pushes for inclusive practices and policies, raising awareness about the challenges faced by larger-bodied cyclists and promoting a culture of acceptance and respect. Through social media, documentaries, and other media platforms, they share stories and experiences of diverse cyclists, challenging stereotypes and showcasing the joy of cycling for everyone.

“There is no right or wrong way to ride a bike” encapsulates their ethos, underscoring their commitment to making cycling an inclusive and welcoming activity for all.

Wheels for Wellbeing

Founded in 2007, Wheels for Wellbeing is dedicated to making cycling accessible for over 1,000 disabled individuals in the UK annually. This remarkable organisation focuses on three core areas to achieve its mission.

Firstly, Wheels for Wellbeing provides direct support, access, and coaching to disabled riders. This includes the provision of custom-built bikes tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual, ensuring that every rider has the equipment they need to enjoy cycling.

Secondly, the organisation is a vigorous advocate for inclusive active transport policies. They lobby to influence policy-making so that infrastructure and transport initiatives consider all potential riders, not just the able-bodied. Their advocacy is based on the belief that designing infrastructure with disabled riders in mind will create a system that works better for everyone.

Lastly, Wheels for Wellbeing works tirelessly to raise awareness about the needs and potential of disabled cyclists. They engage with government bodies and potential sponsors to highlight the importance of inclusive cycling opportunities.

This inspiring group is committed to challenging industry norms and influencing policymakers to adopt a more inclusive approach. For example, Wheels for Wellbeing emphasises the importance of bike hire and micro-mobility schemes in decarbonising transport. They advocate for these schemes to include accessible solutions for disabled cyclists, ensuring that such services cater to everyone when contracts are awarded.

Wheels for Wellbeing stands out as a beacon of innovation and advocacy, pushing for a cycling world that is truly inclusive and accessible to all.

Brothers on Bikes

Started a decade ago as a modest WhatsApp group of around 20 friends, bound by their Muslim faith and a shared passion for cycling, Brothers on Bikes (BOB) began with a straightforward objective: to ride together and encourage others to take up the sport. This unassuming start laid the foundation for what has since blossomed into a dynamic and widespread community.

The initial group expanded organically, driven by word of mouth and the enthusiasm of its members. Friends invited friends, leading to the formation of new groups across the UK. There was no grand strategy or overarching plan—just a common faith and a mutual love for cycling. Built on free platforms and personal connections, BOB's inclusivity extends beyond its Muslim roots, welcoming anyone who respects their values.

Today, BOB comprises over 1,000 riders organised into various groups nationwide. They have developed their own branded cycling kit, conduct regular local rides, and host an annual national meetup. These events bring together hundreds of BOB members to ride, network, and share meals, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Cycle Sisters

Cycle Sisters is a London-based, award-winning collective dedicated to inspiring and enabling Muslim women to cycle, promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Cycle Sisters began with its founder, Sarah Javid, along with her friend and sister-in-law. Since its inception, the group has grown and now consists of multiple sub-groups that support hundreds of women who cycle.

To support women on their cycling journeys, Cycle Sisters offers group rides at convenient times and locations, as well as cycle lessons. These initiatives aim to make cycling accessible and enjoyable for Muslim women.

The organisation collaborates with various partners and corporate sponsors to expand its reach, with Rapha being a notable example. Together, they have designed and developed performance and modest cycle wear specifically for Muslim women. They also hosted a series of rides across key locations to encourage more Muslim women to consider cycling, making physical activity more comfortable and accessible than ever before.

LDN Riders

LDN Riders is an award-winning, inclusive LGBTQ+ road cycling club based in London, welcoming all community members and allies. Founded by Julian Gregory, LDN Riders began with the aim of providing support and safety for the LGBTQ+ community. It rapidly grew to become London’s largest LGBTQ+ cycling club, offering an ideal way for members to keep fit, explore, socialise, and make new friends.

The club provides regular group rides, training sessions, social events, and cycling holidays. These activities foster a supportive environment where members feel safe, valued, and free from previous experiences of bullying. Private events are a key part of their offering, creating a secure space with changing facilities to match.

Bahati Foundation

The final organisation we want to spotlight is the Bahati Foundation, which in many ways inspired our initiative. In full disclosure, we’ve collaborated with Rahsaan Bahati on various projects for several brands over the years.

Rahsaan Bahati, a pioneering Black cyclist from Compton, LA, has had a remarkable career with numerous impressive results. Leveraging his profile, he founded the Bahati Foundation to provide underrepresented youth with the means to engage in cycling and positively shape their futures.

One standout initiative of the Bahati Foundation is the "Annual Motion Equals Healthy" Bike Giveaway, conducted in collaboration with Giant. Through this program, the foundation has given hundreds of bikes to children in Compton, LA, and Harlem, New York, capturing imaginations and inspiring young people to embrace cycling

Hopefully you’ll agree that these examples showcase incredible grassroots movements driven by immense personal energy and often supported by brands. These organisations are making a significant difference in their communities.

But it's fair to ask, "Well, SHIFT, you are part of the cycling industry—what are you doing to make cycling more accessible and welcoming?"

Inspired by Rahsaan’s mantra of "just do something, and something on your patch," we have concentrated our efforts directly within the industry. We are committed to creating initiatives and supporting projects that break down barriers and foster an inclusive environment for all cyclists.

Introducing Uplift

Uplift was, and is, how we did our part. Uplift is a mentorship programme created to match experienced female leaders in the cycling industry with the next generation of talent.

The programme was created to support and inspire young aspiring female talent in an industry that is predominantly male. Many women in the bike industry expressed a strong desire for access to female leaders who could share their experiences and guidance on navigating the early stages of their careers. Thus, Uplift was born.

Uplift strives to build ‘Confidence through connection,’ with the ultimate aim of helping to accelerate the progress and number of female leaders within the cycling business in the future by creating strong networks, building confidence, and increasing the visibility of female role models in the bike industry.

Conclusion

These inspiring organisations demonstrate that change is possible when passionate individuals come together to make a difference. By highlighting their work, we hope to encourage others in the cycling industry to join the effort in making cycling an inclusive and welcoming sport for everyone.

So, all we ask is if you want to change the status quo, do what you can, do something that’s close to you, but above all else, do something.