Ten women cyclists, spanning elite professionals and locally recognised role models, are set to be honoured this March through a new initiative linked to International Women’s Day. Transport for London and Santander Cycles will name ten cycle hire bikes after inspirational women cyclists in London, with customers invited to nominate their own cycling idol.
The initiative forms part of a wider effort by TfL and the Mayor of London to address barriers that continue to limit cycling participation among women and girls. Although cycling journeys in the capital have increased by 43 per cent since 2019, with around 1.5 million journeys now made each day, women remain underrepresented among cyclists. Recognising women cyclists in London is intended to highlight role models and encourage broader participation.
Customers can take part by emailing SantanderCyclesvote@tfl.gov.uk or submitting a postal entry before midnight on 8 February. Each entry must name a professional women cycling star or an unsung hero from the community and explain how that person inspired the nominee to start cycling. A judging panel made up of cycling enthusiasts from TfL and Santander will select the most frequently nominated women cyclists in London to feature on Santander Cycles during March.
The campaign also reflects continued investment in cycling infrastructure across the capital. TfL’s strategic cycle network has expanded from 90km in 2016 to more than 431km in 2025, making it over four and a half times larger. In 2024 and 2025 alone, 17 new Cycleways routes were launched, and since September 2025, 29 per cent of Londoners now live within 400 metres of the network. These protected routes are designed to make cycling safer and more appealing, particularly for women cyclists in London, where road safety concerns are a significant barrier.
TfL’s Cycling Action Plan and its customer inclusion strategy, Equity in Motion, commit to understanding and reducing the challenges faced by women and girls. Measures include discounted Santander Cycles subscriptions for groups such as care leavers, students and people with a 60+ London Oyster Card, alongside sustained investment in high quality cycling routes.
Community based programmes also play a role. Through the Walking and Cycling Grants London programme, more than £550,000 was awarded in December to support new and continuing projects that encourage active travel. Several of these initiatives focus specifically on women cyclists in London, including projects supporting ethnically diverse communities in Barnet, Muslim women cycling confidently across the capital, and socially isolated women in Sutton and at HMP Downview.
Since its launch in July 2010, the Santander Cycles scheme has become a core part of London’s transport system and one of the largest cycle hire schemes in Europe. Record levels of hire have been reported, reinforcing the role of cycling in everyday travel. TfL and the Mayor continue to work with London boroughs to grow these numbers further through investment in infrastructure and safety improvements.
More than £150m has been allocated through Safe and Healthy Streets funding to improve dangerous and intimidating junctions for people walking and cycling. Work has already been completed at 46 Safer Junctions, with further funding available to boroughs through the Safer Streets programme.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “The Mayor and I want cycling to be an option for everyone in London, but women and girls unfortunately still face barriers that can prevent them from riding. This fun new initiative from TfL and Santander Cycles is a fantastic way to inspire women cyclists to embrace active travel as we continue building a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
David Eddington, Head of Cycle Hire at TfL, said: “Our cycle hire scheme has become one of the most popular ways to travel across the capital. Yet we know that many women and girls continue to face barriers to cycling. We are committed to making cycling accessible to everyone, and today we are proud to announce that we will be celebrating ten inspirational women, whose achievements have opened doors for more women and girls to enjoy cycling on our Santander Cycles.”
LCC Women’s Network said: “Since long before the invention of the modern bicycle, women have been cycling in London. So, we welcome TfL’s celebration of women in cycling and the recognition that women want to cycle safely and in greater numbers. Only a third of London’s daily cycle trips are currently taken by women, which is why London Cycling Campaign works with TfL, local councils and the police on tackling the barriers to more women cycling in London. There’s a long road ahead for London to become a city where all women have freedom to ride, but we’ll get there together.”
