Elham Asaad Buaras
Eight Muslim women were included in Cycling UK’s annual 100 Women in Cycling list earlier last month.
Every year, the UK’s cycling charity honours women who have made a difference by inspiring others to cycle and thus making cycling a more inclusive space. Despite the 2021 census showing there are more women than men in the UK, men are much more likely to cycle regularly than women.
Cycling UK wants to show through its annual celebration of these inspiring individuals that cycling can be for everyone, no matter their gender, background, or ability.
Iffat Tejani has been nominated as a community champion for her work as a British Cycling Breeze Champion, founder of Evolve Cycling Network, and co-founder of the Stanmore Jafferys Ladies Cycling Club.
After starting as a volunteer at Hop On, Hanna Ahmed loved the feeling of getting more people cycling, and since her role became permanent, she has thrown herself into changing the lives of children, families, and adults in Bradford. Ahmed is now the director, instructor, ride leader, and mentor at Hop On.
“I’m excited to be a part of Hop On’s growth going forward, bringing the love of cycling to communities that have never had the opportunity to ride. Getting everyone active, one person at a time,” said Ahmed in a statement.
Gönül Ekmekçi Tekin, 64, embraced London’s bustling streets at a feeder ride by Finsbury Cycling Club to the very first Ride London. Now a marshal for led rides and key organiser of the Women’s Freedom Ride, she champions cycling beyond sport, fostering social connections, and breaking barriers. Her impact resonates with those she helps, who are encouraged and supported by her kind and passionate leadership.
Ekmekçi said: “Led rides bring people together, overcoming barriers of ethnicity, cultural background, language, and ability to socialise.”
Özge Aksakal, who, like Ekmekçi, is of Turkish heritage, has been nominated as a community champion for her work as a cycling instructor with Londra Bisiklet Kulubu (London Cycling Club), a club for London’s Turkish-speaking community.
Other Muslim women named in the list include Fatima Patel, ride leader and group coordinator for the cycling group Cycle Sisters, who was nominated for sharing her mental health story to inspire other Muslim women to discover the benefits of cycling; Humira Shahzad of Ilford, Essex, ride leader who serves as an inspiration to many Southeast Asian Muslim women; Nahida Hussain, ride leader with Cycle Sisters in London, where she encourages more women to engage in longer, more difficult rides; and Sabeha Miah, project manager for Cycle Sisters Tower Hamlets, which she helped to establish.
Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK’s chief executive, said: “Cycling is a fantastic way to get around sustainably, keep fit, and have fun outdoors, and we want everyone to benefit from the joy of cycling.
But in the UK, substantially fewer women ride than men. It’s our mission to reverse that and see equal levels of cycling across all genders.
“A great way to encourage more women to cycle is to share the stories of these amazing women, whether they’re chronicling their adventures on social media, advocating for better infrastructure in their neighbourhoods, inspiring their communities to join them for a ride, or winning medals around the world.”
Photo: Iffat Tejani founder of Evolve Cycling Network, and co-founder of the Stanmore Jafferys Ladies Cycling Club.
(Courtesy of Iffat Tejani)
