Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2022
The sixth annual list celebrating inspirational women in cycling has been launched.
The women are recognised for significant achievements promoting women's cycling. The list celebrates their outstanding work, whether that's sporting or industry accolades, spreading the word as an influencer, or grassroots campaigning and support in the community.
The list this year includes household names from sport, such as Tour de France Femmes winner and Road World Champion Annemiek van Vleuten, para-cyclist pair Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl, 10-year old BMX champ Amelie Eaton, and also shines a spotlight on other inspirational figures like poet Caroline Burrows who uses her medium to tell stories about cycling – of course doing her tours by bike – and climate activist Jessie Stevens, who was just 17 when she cycled from Dartmoor to Glasgow for COP26.
Cycling UK is drawing attention to the unsung heroes making a difference in their communities. The 2022 list has a strong focus on community champions – ride leaders, club matriarchs, founders of cycling groups that promote diversity and inclusivity by enabling underrepresented communities, children, the elderly or disabled to use pedal power.
The category also includes many who work tirelessly to improve access to cycling through recycling projects, teaching skills such as cycle mechanics, or campaigning for better active travel infrastructure in their area.
As a volunteer for Ride On, an Exeter-based charity dedicated to providing affordable cycles to adults and children, Kirsten Berggren, 30, co-founded the Women's Workshop, running weekly sessions for women, trans and non-binary people enabling attendees to learn the foundations of bicycle mechanics in a safe, fun, empowering and inclusive environment. She also runs social rides, again aimed at inclusivity, so more people can get out on bikes, meet people and enjoy cycling as a mode of transport.
Climate activist and founder of People Pedal Power Jessie Stevens, 18, started cycling while looking for a sustainable way to travel to COP26 and realised travelling by bike she could minimise her environmental impact while mobilising people on the way. Cycling from Dartmoor to Glasgow for the summit, she discovered how cycling creates connections and can help get the climate message across.
Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK's chief executive, said: "At a time when people in the UK are turning to cycling in numbers not seen since the 60s, it's more important than ever to celebrate those who empower others, whether people want to cycle because it's an affordable, sustainable and healthy transport option, or because it's simply fun.
"Representation makes a huge difference, and improving the visibility of women's cycling means more women are likely to feel it is also for them. This is what makes the work our 100 Women in Cycling do so important – whether it's winning races, supporting their community, or telling stories about the adventures and challenges faced by other inspiring women."
Cycling Minister Jesse Norman, at the Department for Transport, said: "It's fantastic to see so many inspirational women encouraging others to cycle. Some are cycling because it's so healthy, some because it's quick and easy, some to protect the environment. Whatever the reason, they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.
"These women are leading the way in their communities, and we will continue to support them, having invested over £600m since the start of the pandemic in better infrastructure including Cycling UK's Big Bike Revival."
To view the full 100 Women in Cycling list, visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/100women/2022 For more info about the list, go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/100women
