Wanted: the names of women cyclists who you find inspirational...
To mark International Women's Day (8 March 2026), Transport for London (TfL) will bestow names upon 10 of its cycle-hire bikes. Each will be named after a woman cyclist nominated by the public; and those nominations can point to someone famous, or an unsung hero.
You certainly have plenty to choose from in the 'famous' category. Athletes like Victoria Pendleton and Dame Laura Kenny became household names after their Olympic success. Wikipedia has a list of over 200 other noted female cyclists, from Britain alone. The 'unsung heroes' selection, meanwhile, should bring to light plenty of inspirational stories, and then make those people less 'unsung' by painting their names onto bikes.
The cynical might dismiss this as a fluffy PR campaign for TfL and further exposure for the cycle-hire sponsors. But it does have an important undercurrent. "While the number of women cycling in London continues to grow," says TfL, "the number is still significantly lower than male cyclists. Both TfL and the Mayor of London recognise that a range of barriers can discourage many women and girls from taking up cycling – from concerns around road danger to the cost of a bicycle".
By highlighting examples of cycling success and virtuosity, TfL hopes to nudge more women onto bikes — part of its 'Equity in Motion' initiative to make all forms of transport more accessible for everyone.
To enter the competition, just send your nomination to [email protected] before the end of 8 February, along with a brief explanation of why that person inspires you to get on your bike.
The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. Professional cyclists will be selected by majority vote, while 'unsung heroes' will be selected subjectively. Those rules should stop anyone successfully voting for "Mrs Bikey McCycleFace".
Cycling in London, as TfL is rightly proud to point out, has seen a huge increase in recent years. An estimated 1.5 million cycling journeys are made across London every week day, a 43% increase on 2019 figures.
