TfL Invites Nominations for Inspirational Women Cyclists

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, Transport for London (TfL) is inviting the public to help name 10 Santander cycle-hire bikes after women cyclists who inspire them.

Nominations can honour well-known figures or shine a light on unsung heroes whose contributions to cycling deserve recognition.

In the “famous” category, the choices are plentiful. British athletes such as Victoria Pendleton and Dame Laura Kenny are household names thanks to their Olympic achievements, and Wikipedia lists over 200 notable female cyclists from the UK alone. Equally compelling, however, are the unsung heroes whose stories may not yet be widely known—naming bikes after them offers a simple but powerful way to celebrate their impact and make their contributions more visible.

While some might dismiss the initiative as a PR exercise for TfL and its sponsors, there is a deeper purpose. TfL notes that although the number of women cycling in London is growing, it still lags significantly behind male participation. Various barriers—ranging from safety concerns to the cost of bicycles—can discourage women and girls from cycling. By highlighting examples of skill, perseverance, and achievement, TfL hopes to encourage more women to take to the city’s streets as part of its broader Equity in Motion programme, aimed at making all forms of transport more inclusive.

To enter the competition, nominations should be emailed to SantanderCyclesvote@tfl.gov.uk by 8 February. Submissions should include a short explanation of why the nominated woman inspires you to ride.

A panel of judges will select the winners. Professional cyclists will be chosen through majority vote, while the unsung heroes will be selected subjectively, ensuring that no whimsical entries like “Mrs Bikey McCycleFace” are likely to succeed.

Cycling in London has grown substantially in recent years. TfL reports that an estimated 1.5 million cycling journeys are made each weekday, representing a 43% increase compared with 2019 figures. This initiative is another step in celebrating women’s cycling achievements and encouraging even more people to embrace two wheels.