Bike Week 2025 - Representation In Motion

Who cycles? Representation in motion.

When you picture a “cyclist,” who comes to mind?

For many, it’s someone on two wheels—often slim, able-bodied, fast, and in Lycra. But that image leaves out so many people who cycle every day. Today for Bike Week (Cycle Week ;D), we’re focusing on representation: who gets seen, heard, and included in cycling culture, and who often doesn’t.

Why representation matters

We’ve worked with disabled riders, older adults, families with disabled children, queer riders, neurodivergent cyclists, people recovering from injury or illness, and those who thought cycling wasn’t an option for them.

And time after time, we hear the same thing:

“I never thought cycling could be for me… until I saw someone like me doing it.”

That’s the power of representation in motion. Visibility doesn’t just reflect reality - it helps create it.

Let's change the picture

Inclusive cycling means:

• Showing different types of cycles - not just two-wheeled bikes
• Featuring riders of all ages, body types, identities and abilities
• Sharing stories that reflect real-life barriers and triumphs
• Making space for people to ride in their own way

Whether you ride a handcycle, a tandem, a recumbent trike, or something completely unique, you deserve to be part of the story.

Because cycling doesn’t look just one way.
And neither do cyclists.

What can we do?

Representation doesn’t change on its own, it changes because people decide to make it better. Here's how we can all help:

• Use inclusive language. Swap “bike” for “cycle.” Say “cyclist” and “rider” rather than assuming who that is.
• Diversify your feed. Follow and share content from cyclists who are disabled, queer, fat, older, or otherwise underrepresented.
• Share your story. If you ride a cycle that’s different, or if you ride differently, your experience might help someone else see what’s possible.
• Challenge assumptions. When you hear comments like “they don’t look like a cyclist” or “that’s not really cycling,” gently push back. Start a better conversation.
• Support inclusive spaces. Whether it’s a try-out centre, an accessible trail, or a group ride that welcomes everyone - back them, fund them, show up.

Representation isn’t about ticking boxes.
It’s about people seeing that they belong.

And we want cycling to be a place where everyone can feel exactly that.

Get Cycling CIC, 22 Hospital Fields Road, York YO10 4D
getcycling.org.uk | 01904 636 812 | admin@getcycling.org.uk

Published June 2025